Fatty acid fractionation by column distillation: Purity, energy consumption and operating conditions

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Abstract
This paper discusses the optimal process conditions for production of individual fatty acids of any desired purity up to higher than 99% and describes especially the influences of column internals as well as exchange numbers, reflux ratios and fatty acid residence times at distillation temperatures. The new process conditions are characterized by degasification at low temperatures followed by efficient dehydration together with separation of first cuts at high reflux ratios by short‐time dephlegmation. The design of columns for efficiency and low pressure drop is influenced by the thermal properties of crude acids and the quality demands on distillate fractions. Environmental requirements can be met by working without open steam. Bottom temperatures should not exceed 250 C, to prevent thermal degradation of fatty acids as well as corrosion of stainless steel.