Process of refinement of crude tall oil using short path distillation

摘要

A process for the production of fatty acids and rosin acids from crude tall oil comprising the following steps: a) saponifying crude tall oil to form saponified crude tall oil comprising unsaponifiable matter, sodium or potassium soaps of fatty acids and rosin acids and 40% in weight or less of water; b) dehydrating saponified crude tall oil c) distilling dehydrated saponified crude tall oil to form a distillate comprising unsaponifiable matter and a residue comprising sodium or potassium soaps of fatty acids and rosin acids; d) contacting the residue with sulphuric acid to form refined tall oil comprising fatty acids and rosin acids and an aqueous solution comprising sodium or potassium sulphate; e) separating the refined tall oil from the aqueous solution, and f) vacuum fractionating the refined tall oil to form a first fraction comprising fatty acids and a second fraction to form rosin acids. <IMAGE>