Dsm IP Assets B.v.

Peter Ruckstuhl

Angela Wildermann

Werner Pietzonka

A rectification column and system for the working-up of a vitamin E (VE)- and/or vitamin E acetate (VEA)-containing product stream includes purification of a vitamin E-containing product stream, acetylation of at least a part of the purified vitamin E and purification of at least a part of the acetylated vitamin E, the purification of vitamin E and vitamin E acetate preferably being effected by distillation, for example rectification.

Process for the working-up of a vitamin E- and vitamin E-acetate-containing mixture or product stream

The invention relates to a process for the working-up of a vitamin E (VE)- and/or vitamin E acetate (VEA)-containing product stream, which is substantially characterized by purification of a vitamin E-containing product stream, acetylation of at least a part of the purified vitamin E and purification of at least a part of the acetylated vitamin E, the purification of vitamin E and vitamin E acetate preferably being effected by distillation, for example rectification. A preferred process according to the invention is characterized in that a vitamin E-containing product stream is fed to a first rectification column (), low-boiling products and unspecified isomers of vitamin E being taken off at the top () of this first rectification column virtually without loss of useful substance, and a purified, vitamin E-containing stream being taken off at the side () and/or at the bottom () of the rectification column (), at least a part of the side take-off or of the bottom take-off or at least a part of the side and bottom take-off is passed, for acetylation of vitamin E, into an acetylation stage (), at least a part of the product stream emerging from the acetylation stage is passed into a second rectification column () or is taken off as useful product having a purity of &#x2267;92% by weight, and in a second rectification column, the VEA useful product is obtained as a side take-off having a purity of &#x2267;97% by weight.

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Hölstein, Switzerland

Peter Ruckstuhl