Patent ID: 6160143
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: C11B,Y02W

Abstract:
A method for the concentration and separation of free sterols from a feed source which comprises sterol-containing material and saponifiable material, which method comprises:a) providing a first, rotary, generally horizontal, thin film apparatus having a one end and an other end and having two external jackets to provide a first, internal, thin film reaction zone and a second, internal, thin film evaporation zone;b) introducing the feed source into the first zone;c) introducing an aqueous alkali solution into the first zone to saponify said saponifiable material at a controlled temperature and for a selected time to provide a saponification reaction mixture of an alkali soap, free sterols, water, and light hydrocarbons;d) heating at a controlled temperature, the reaction mixture from the first zone reaction in the second evaporation zone;e) withdrawing from the second zone, a light end vapor mixture comprising water and light hydrocarbons;f) withdrawing from the second zone, a liquid slurry mixture comprising an alkali soap and free sterols; andg) heating the liquid slurry mixture to separate and obtain a free sterol and an alkali soap product.