Edible oil refining systems providing caustic refining, bleaching, dry degumming, continuous deodorization, and semi-continuous deodorization from Crown Iron Works Company

Oil Extraction Experts

	Glycerine
	Fat Splitting
	Fatty Acid Distillation
	Transesterification

Edible oil refining systems providing caustic refining, bleaching, dry degumming, continuous deodorization, and semi-continuous deodorization from Crown Iron Works Company

Crude & Refined Glycerin

Glycerin is typically considered a by-product from a saponification, fat splitting, or biodiesel (transesterification) process. Once refined, glycerin is used for a number of personal care items (such as toothpaste) or as a building block for other chemicals (such as propylene glycol).

The process of refining crude glycerin involves the removal of contaminates such as salts, unreacted fats, matter organic non glycerin (MONG), water, and other impurities. Depending upon the feedstock characteristics, the crude may need petreatment and evaporation prior to refining. In many cases, such as that for biodiesel crude, the crude can be sent directly to the refining process.

In a typical refining system, crude glycerin is also being considered as a source for processes producing ethanol, methanol, and a variety of other syn-gas products. Glycerin is delivered to the crude still, evaporated, contacted with stripping steam throughout the column, and is recovered in the packed column section.

The deodorizer further purifies the glycerine by removing unacceptable volatiles. The recovered glycerin is sent to the deodorizer when volatiles are removed, and the color is adjusted. The purified product is cooled and passes through activated carbon beds, then through a polishing filter and cooler. Foots from the still is typically pumped to a foots still for additional glycerin recovery. Residue from the foots still, which typically include the salt, MONG, and other non-volatile materials, can be discharged as a feed additive containing 10 - 15% residual glycerin. For even higher glycerin recovery, a wiped film evaporator can be supplied instead of the foots still.

As motive steam for a vacuum system consumes much of the utilities associated with the glycerin recovery system, Crown as developed a number of unique energy saving systems. For evaporation, a triple effect evaporation system is the standard design. For the refinery, a variety of vacuum systems, including direct and indirect contact are available. For the ultimate in cost-effective steam savings, Crown's patented sub-zero scrubber system is a very attractive option.

Natural crude glycerin can come from many sources, including fat splitting (hydrolysis of fat), saponification (adding caustic soda to fat as part of the neutralization process), and transesterification (biodiesel).

Features of our Glycerin Refining System include:

Crude still design assures intimate steam/glycerin contact throughout vessel.
Unique deodorizer ensures stripping of volatiles, produces a higher yield and superior concentration of purified product. Can also be used to provide higher glycerin concentration purity.
Acid conditioning of residue avoids polymerization and glycerin degradation when exposed to high stripping temperatures.
Lower electrical and steam consumption than most competitors.
Long and proven experience in producing USP and BP grade products from a variety of crude feedstocks.
Circulating heaters provide better heat transfer than falling film evaporators, also reducing forced downtime for cleaning.
Refining plants are designed to work with a variety of biodiesel crude. MONG contents of up to three percent can be tolerated as can residual methanol up to 500 ppm.
Compact footprint and easy integration into a biodiesel operation allows Crown to be the major supplier of completely integrated biodiesel glycerin refineries.