Inventors:
Donald R. Hall - Savannah GA 31410-3331
Michael R. Hall - Savannah GA 31410-1821
Michael Moser - Alken SC 29801
International Classification:
C11B 100
US Classification:
426417, 426489, 426495, 426430, 426442, 554 9, 554 12, 554 16, 554 20
Abstract:
A process for extracting a fat from a feedstock (e. g. , chocolate liquor), includes mixing the feedstock with a liquefied gas solvent (e. g. , butane), filtering, washing the retentate with additional solvent, refiltering, drying, granulating, aerating the granulate, and separating the fat from the solvent in the original filtrate. The mixing, filtering, washing, refiltering, drying, and granulating are conducted under an atmosphere consisting essentially of the solvent vapor. An improved solvent extraction process includes repeatedly loading and unloading an extractor with solvent and feedstock to extract fat from the feedstock, wherein throughout loading, extracting, unloading and repeating: (a) a pressure in the extractor is continuously maintained above atmospheric pressure; (b) the extractor is continuously maintained under an oxygen-free atmosphere; and/or (c) the extractor is continuously maintained under an atmosphere consisting essentially of a vapor of the solvent.