Uop Lcc

Steven P Johnson

Timothy J Barder

Hermann A Zinnen

W Brian Bedwell

An adsorptive separation process for separating sterols from a feed mixture, especially one that is acid-free, containing sterols, e.g., tan oil, wool fat, etc., which process comprises contacting the feed mixture with an adsorbent comprising magnesium silicate (Florisil), selectively adsorbing substantially all of the sterols to be separated to the substantial exclusion of the other components and thereafter recovering high purity sterols. The adsorbed sterols are desorbed with methyl-t-butyl ether (MtBE), which is superior, as a desorbent, to previously used aromatic liquids, e.g., toluene and chlorobenzene. An especially suitable acid-free feed is produced from crude tall oil, without the need for pitching, by a liquid-liquid extraction with DMSO and hexane solvents added to the top and bottom of the extraction column, respectively, and feed introduced at an intermediate zone.

Separation of sterols from low-acid feeds with magnesium silicate and

An adsorptive separation process useful in the purification of alpha naphthol-containing feed mixtures, said process comprising the employment of a type X, type Y or a de-aluminated type Y zeolite material and a desorbent material comprising a primary alcohol or an alkyl ester.

Purification of alpha naphthol-containing feedstock by adsorption

An adsorptive separation process for separating sterols from a tall oil feed mixture, which process comprises contacting the feed mixture with an adsorbent comprising a carbon sieve having average pore diameters greater than about 20 .ANG., especially 30-90 .ANG., and a surface area greater than about 300 m.sup.2 /g, especially 700-1100 m.sup.2 /g, and, preferably, a carbonaceous pyropolymer or carbonized resin, selectively adsorbing substantially all of the sterols to be separated to the substantial exclusion of the other components and thereafter recovering high purity sterols. A desorption step is used to desorb the adsorbed sterols with an aromatic liquid hydrocarbons, e.g., toluene or chlorobenzene.

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Prospect Heights, IL, United States of America

Steven P Johnson