Integrated Short-Path Distillation for Heat-Sensitive Oil Purification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional short path evaporators are costly, time-consuming, and prone to contamination due to moving parts, leading to significant product loss and degradation of heat-sensitive materials during the removal of low-boiling contaminants from high-boiling products.
Innovation Solution
A short path fractional distillation apparatus comprising a flash distillation apparatus directly connected to a short path stripper, which produces multiple output streams by vaporizing and condensing low-boiling components, minimizing product loss and degradation through minimal residence time and absence of moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional short path evaporators with moving parts are used, then low-boiling contaminants can be removed from high-boiling products, but the equipment becomes costly, time-consuming to maintain, and prone to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical agitation systems (rotors, agitators, moving parts) with a static short path distillation system that relies on vapor-liquid equilibrium and gravity-driven flow. The distillation apparatus uses heated surfaces to generate vapor that travels a short path to condensation surfaces, eliminating the need for mechanical agitation and its associated lubricants, seals, and moving parts that cause contamination and maintenance issues.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional short path evaporators are used to strip low-boiling contaminants, then purification is achieved, but significant product loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-zone distillation system with different temperature and pressure conditions optimized for specific separation tasks. The flash distillation zone operates at higher temperature for bulk contaminant removal, while the short path distillation zone operates at lower temperature for trace contaminant removal. This localized optimization allows selective removal of contaminants while preserving the heat-sensitive high-boiling product.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary flash distillation to remove the bulk of low-boiling contaminants before subjecting the material to short path distillation. This preliminary separation reduces the contaminant load, allowing the subsequent short path distillation to focus on trace removal with minimal product loss, as the majority of separation has already occurred in the gentler flash distillation zone.
3Manufacturing precision
If high temperature deodorization is used to remove contaminants, then purification is achieved, but heat-induced contaminants are created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the operating parameters from high-temperature deodorization (typically 200-250°C) to low-temperature distillation under vacuum (below 100°C). By reducing temperature and maintaining vacuum conditions throughout the process, the system achieves effective contaminant removal through vapor pressure differences without reaching temperatures that would cause thermal decomposition or formation of harmful heat-induced contaminants like 3-MCPD and GEs.
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional distillation apparatus with multiple processing steps are used, then contaminants are removed, but operating costs and capital costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges flash distillation and short path distillation into a single integrated apparatus where the two separation zones are connected in series. The flash distillation chamber feeds directly into the short path distillation chamber, eliminating the need for separate processing equipment, multiple vacuum systems, and intermediate transfer systems. This integration reduces capital costs while maintaining the dual-stage separation capability for effective contaminant removal.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively separates contaminants from heat-sensitive materials with reduced operating temperatures and pressures, minimizing product loss and capital costs while producing distinct, commercially valuable streams.
Implementation Method 1
cause vaporization of at least a relatively low boiling point portion of the introduced pre-heated liquid
Implementation Method 2
cool at least a portion of the fractionation volume and thereby condense a vaporized relatively low boiling point portion
Implementation Method 3
short path fractional distillation apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
A short path fractional distillation apparatus includes a flash distillation apparatus disposed above, and directly connected to, a short path stripper, without intervening piping. This combination facilitates fractionally distilling liquids, including heat-sensitive liquids, such as edible oils, to remove contaminants into individual streams, with low loss, short residence times, and no moving parts. Embodiments provide three distinct output streams.