N.v. Desmet Ballestra Engineering S.a.

Bart Schols

Marc Kellens

Marcelo Usseglio

A process for the physical refining of edible oils and fats, said process comprising three consecutive stages, whereby in a first stage at least 60% by weight of the volatiles are evaporated in a flash vessel, in a second stage some residual volatiles are evaporated by countercurrent steam stripping using a packed column (), and in a third stage further residual volatiles are evaporated in a cross-flow tray system (), wherein the pressure in said flash vessel is maintained at a value below the pressure prevailing above said packed column (); and an apparatus for the physical refining of edible oils and fats comprising a flash vessel, a packed column (), sparging trays () and the means to maintain the pressure in said flash vessel at a value that is below the pressure prevailing above said packed column.

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Hasselt, Belgium

Bart Schols