Process and apparatus for continuously removing contaminants from edible cooking oil

摘要

In accordance with the present invention a process and apparatus for removing contaminates from edible cooking oil is provided. A continuous stream of cooking oil at an elevated temperature is withdrawn from a cooking bath. A continuous stream of liquid solvent for at least a portion of the contaminates is mixed with the oil. The solvent has a specific gravity different than the specific gravity of the oil. As the oil and solvent streams are mixed, at least a portion of the contaminates are transferred from the oil to the solvent. The oil and solvent mixture is then separated by specific gravity into a stream comprising cleaned oil and a stream comprising solvent and contaminates. The cleaned oil stream is then returned to the bath, preferably being heated in a heat exchanger prior to introduction in the bath.