FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
PROCESS FOR NEUTRALIZING OILS;


MARICO LTD, A COMPANY
INCORPORATED UNDER THE
COMPANIES ACT, 1956, WHOSE ADDRESS IS RANGSHARDA, KC MARG, BANDRA RECLAMATION, BANDRA (W) MUMBAl 400050, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION DESCRIBES THE INVENTION


Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for chemical refining of oils. In particular, it relates to the neutralization step during chemical refining process and results in reduction in water requirement & minimal or zero discharge of effluent from the neutralization step.
Background
Vegetable oils are a valuable source for various precursors used in the food industry. These vegetable oils contain a high amount of triglycerides and are also therefore referred to as triglyceride oils. In addition to triglyceride components, these oils also contain a significant amount of impurities and other non-triglyceride components including phosphatides (gums), free fatty acids, small amounts of metals etc. Generally crude vegetable oils destined for human consumption are neutralized to remove free fatty acids, gums, albuminous and mucilaginous matter, and thereafter washed to reduce the soap content of neutral oil to produce a more stable product. Effective neutralization results in enhanced effectiveness of subsequent steps such as bleaching, hydrogenation, winterizing, deodorizing and furthermore results in high yields of a quality product.
Refining of glyceride oil generally starts with a degumming process whereby gums and its associated components are removed from the oil by centrifugation. After the initial degumming step, the oil still contains a high amount of phosphatides and free fatty acids. Degumming step is followed by neutralization step with an acid/alkali treatment to remove residual phosphatides and neutralize free fatty acids to form a soap stock. The soap stock so formed after neutralization of free fatty acids is removed by centrifugal separation.
During neutralization, soap separation is performed in various stages. Water is used to hydrate soap molecules and separate them from oil in centrifugal separators at different stages. The separation takes place due to the difference between the specific gravity of oil and soap molecule. Generally the water used is soft water at high temperature.
The above prior art method makes use of a substantial quantity of water during the neutralization and soap separation step. After separation, the water collected (wash water)

from the separator contains soap molecules and other chemicals used during the refining process and causes considerable difficulties and expense in its disposal.
It is therefore desirable to provide for an improved process for refining oils so as to reduce the over all water consumption and effluent load on the effluent treatment plant.
Brief description of the Drawings
Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Fig 1 shows the schematic view of the prior art process.
Fig 2 shows the schematic view of the present invention.
Description of the invention
The present invention is directed to a process for oil refining which substantially reduces the water consumption during neutralization step and minimizes effluent discharge.
According to an embodiment there is provided a process for neutralizing oils during chemical refining comprising subjecting the oil to an acid or an alkali to form a soap stock and removing the soap stock so formed after acid or alkali treatment in two stages. As shown in Fig 2, in first stage of soap separation, the oil and soapstock mixture formed after the acid/alkali treatment, is fed into a plurality of first soap separators