Improvements relating to processes for the production of fatty acids

摘要

In the production of fatty acids by treating a soap-containing mass with mineral acid, a dispersing agent is introduced prior to or during acidulation to accelerate the action on the mass of the acid and the separation into phases of the resultant product. The soap-containing mass may comprise soap produced by saponification of fatty oils, soapstock, or saponified gumcontaining fatty oil produced in degumming fatty oils. In the case of soapstock, the oil contained therein is also preferably saponified. The soap may first be washed or grained in known manner with an electrolyte. The mineral acid may be sulphuric or hydrochloric acid. The dispersing agent is preferably used in aqueous solution and may be a naphthalene sulphonate in which two or more naphthalene nuclei are joined by an alkylene group, such as a product produced by heating naphthalene, formaldehyde and sulphuric acid; a tertiary acetylenic glycol, such as 2, 5 - dimethyl - 3 hexyne - 2, 5 diol or 3, 6 - dimethyl - 4 - octyne- 3, 6 diol; quebracho extract; a sodium hexametaphosphate type dispersing agent; or a liqnin derivative such as a liqnosulphonate. Specified anti-foaming agents may also be added, if necessary. A detailed description of the process and suitable plant are given. The acidulation may take place between 100 DEG and 350 DEG F. The process may be batch or continuous, and the separation of the fatty acids from the reaction liquor may be effected by gravity or centrifuging.