Großtechnische Feinfraktionierung von Kokos- und Palmkernfettsäuren aus der Sicht des Praktikers II

Technical Fine Fractionation of Coconut and Palm-Kernel Fatty Acids from Practical Viewpoint II The first part of this work reviewed the technological possibilities for the optimum separation of coconut and palm-kernel fatty acids. The present communication deals with the factors, such as plant design and processing, which are of major significance for the processing cost and processing behaviour. In this context, the influences of the quality of raw material and that of the residue, which is mainly composed of the unhydrolyzed oil, on the properties of fatty acid distillate were studied. Further discussions concern the corrosion behaviour of the currently available economical materials of construction and the permissible thermal stress from the viewpoint of product stability. In both cases, the effects of time as well as temperature were studied. Since hot fatty acids are prone to oxidative deterioration, severe loss of quality may occur if adequate precautions are not taken. In this respect, the experience gathered during the last decade on the use of pumps without stuffing box for the operation of falling film evaporators with forced circulation is reported. Finally, it is shown that the plants which are conceived and their mode of operation was worked out by the author easily fulfil the requirements concerning environmental safety with respect to waste water, air, and noise.