Continuous countercurrent vacuum bleaching

Abstract

Summary The Votator continuous countercurrent vacuum bleaching system has been described and compared with older methods of bleaching. Data have been presented, comparing the performance of batch open kettle‐, batch vacuum‐, and continuous countercurrent vacuum‐bleaching systems. These data indicate that the vacuum methods of bleaching result in a superior quality bleached oil with the use of less adsorbent. They also prove the value of countercurrent contacting of oil and adsorbent as practiced in the Votator system. The economic aspects of bleaching have been discussed, proving that the continuous countercurrent vacuum‐bleaching system, due to its automatic operation, compactness, and savings in adsorbent operates at a considerably lower cost than either batch method. Data have been offered to show the qualitative advantages of vacuum‐bleached oils over atmospheric‐bleached oils.