Title: Method and apparatus for fractional crystallization separation

Abstract: A method for separating components of a substance, for example, a fatty acid ester such as palm oil, by dissolving the substance in a solvent. The resultant solution is circulated and cooled in a circuit with crystals being formed in the solution as the temperature is lowered. The crystals are continuously separated from the circulating solution during the crystal separation phase of the process. The crystals are then preferably washed and recovered. Preferably there is a second crystallization phase in the process. The invention includes the apparatus used to carry out the process and, particularly, novel fractionating columns and filter surfaces within said columns used in the preferred embodiments of the process.

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Inventors: Bischof, Rudolf (Sevelen, CH)
Rhyner, Heinz (Buchs, CH)
Saxer, Kurt (Buchs, CH)

Application Number: 908986
Filing Date: 1978-05-24
Publication_date: 1980-10-14
Assignee: Metallwerk AG Buchs (Buchs, CH)
Primary Class(es): 554/209 62/532, 62/537, 62/541, 210/175, 210/177, 210/181, 210/184, 210/187
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

2576841	Nov, 1951	Leaders et al.	260/428.
3621664	Nov, 1971	Saxer	62/58.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Niebling, John F.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Frishauf, Holtz, Goodman & Woodward