MAX LEVA
Engineers in Hollywood, FL

3933953, Jan 20, 1976

Jun 6, 1972

5/260209

Max Leva - Hollywood FL

B01D 322

261148

Apparatus and method for stripping fatty acids and removing objectionable odors or flavors from oils and fats comprising a chamber which encloses a stack of horizontal, parallel disposed plates, each plate having a plurality of apertures defined by chimneys and extending downwardly from the plates. Thin films of heated oil collect on the plates while superheated steam is passed upwardly through said chimneys and over said films to boil out fatty acids and volatile, odor-forming matter. Preferably a separate oil-sealed lower compartment is provided for cooling the oil, stripped and deodorized, which enters through traps into a sealed lower section before the oil is removed from the chamber. It is also preferable to pass heated oil, before introduction into said chamber, through a preliminary flash chamber of similar construction to said chamber. Inert gas, such as nitrogen or steam, is passed upwardly of the chimneys to strip fatty acids from the films of oil.