Patent ID: 6392075
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: C07C,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for the preparation of free-flowing calcium salts of highly unsaturated fatty acids comprising:(a) providing an unsaturated fatty acid feedstock consisting essentially of: (i) from about 50 to about 95% by weight of conjugated polyunsaturated C:16-C:22 fatty acids; (ii) from about 5 to about 40% by weight of saturated C:14-C:22 fatty acids; (iii) no more than about 6% by weight of moistures, insolubles and unsaponifiables, â€ƒwith no more than about 20% by weight of said unsaturated feedstock being in the form of glycerides; (b) adding to said unsaturated feedstock from about 1.0 to about 2.5 equivalents of calcium oxide relative to the unsaturated feedstock, so that a reactive admixture is formed; and (c) adding to said reactive admixture from about 2 to about 5 equivalents of water relative to said calcium oxide, so that said calcium oxide hydrates and neutralizes said fatty acids to form said calcium salts; provided that when less than 1.75 equivalents of calcium oxide is added, said unsaturated feedstock comprises at least 25% by weight of said saturated fatty acid and is heated to a temperature above its melting point before said step of adding said calcium oxide.