THE DISTILLATION OF OLEOCHEMICAL PRODUCTS

Distillation is the most important separation technique for the fracti onation of oleochemical products like fatty acids, fatty alcohols and esters. The demand for higher purities and yields has influenced stric tly the development of this technology during the last 10 years. An up to date overview is given for the practical use of distillation and r ectification equipment in the oleochemical industry. Also, aspects of new rectification sequences, of side stream columns or control concept s, of safety and of energy savings are discussed. It is expected that combinations with other unit operations, improvements of batch process es, new methods of process control will be the main subject of process development in the next future.