Patent ID: 8338564
Filing Date: 2012-12-25
Classification: C07G,C07J,C11B,Y02W

Abstract:
1. A method of preparing phytosterols from tall oil pitch containing steryl esters, said method comprising the steps of: (a) converting said steryl esters to free phytosterols while in said pitch to produce a modified pitch containing said free phytosterols including the steps of (b) distilling said modified pitch in a first evaporator to remove light ends from said modified pitch and produce a bottom fraction containing said free phytosterols; (c) distilling only said bottom fraction in a second evaporator to produce a light phase distillate containing said free phytosterols; (d) dissolving said light phase distillate in a solvent comprising an alcohol to produce a solution containing said free phytosterols; (e) cooling said solution to produce a slurry with said free phytosterols crystallized in said slurry; and, (f) washing and filtering said slurry to isolate said crystallized phytosterols.