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GB2481698A - A fat clarification plant and a method of clarifying fat - Google Patents

A fat clarification plant and a method of clarifying fat Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2481698A
GB2481698A GB1110912.1A GB201110912A GB2481698A GB 2481698 A GB2481698 A GB 2481698A GB 201110912 A GB201110912 A GB 201110912A GB 2481698 A GB2481698 A GB 2481698A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
fat
plant
operative
clarified
outlet
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Granted
Application number
GB1110912.1A
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GB201110912D0 (en
GB2481698B (en
Inventor
Bruce William Palmer
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Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
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Publication of GB201110912D0 publication Critical patent/GB201110912D0/en
Publication of GB2481698A publication Critical patent/GB2481698A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2481698B publication Critical patent/GB2481698B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11B—PRODUCING, e.g. BY PRESSING RAW MATERIALS OR BY EXTRACTION FROM WASTE MATERIALS, REFINING OR PRESERVING FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES, e.g. LANOLIN, FATTY OILS OR WAXES; ESSENTIAL OILS; PERFUMES
    • C11B3/00—Refining fats or fatty oils
    • C11B3/16—Refining fats or fatty oils by mechanical means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
    • B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
    • B01D17/0217—Separation of non-miscible liquids by centrifugal force
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D21/00—Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation
    • B01D21/30—Control equipment
    • B01D21/32—Density control of clear liquid or sediment, e.g. optical control ; Control of physical properties
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D21/00—Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation
    • B01D21/30—Control equipment
    • B01D21/34—Controlling the feed distribution; Controlling the liquid level ; Control of process parameters
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11B—PRODUCING, e.g. BY PRESSING RAW MATERIALS OR BY EXTRACTION FROM WASTE MATERIALS, REFINING OR PRESERVING FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES, e.g. LANOLIN, FATTY OILS OR WAXES; ESSENTIAL OILS; PERFUMES
    • C11B3/00—Refining fats or fatty oils
    • C11B3/006—Refining fats or fatty oils by extraction
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D21/00—Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation
    • B01D21/009—Heating or cooling mechanisms specially adapted for settling tanks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D21/00—Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation
    • B01D21/26—Separation of sediment aided by centrifugal force or centripetal force
    • B01D21/262—Separation of sediment aided by centrifugal force or centripetal force by using a centrifuge
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D21/00—Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation
    • B01D21/30—Control equipment

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Water Treatments (AREA)
  • Fats And Perfumes (AREA)

Abstract

A fat clarification plant 1 comprises a fat inlet 2 operative to feed fat to a preheater 5, the preheater 5 being operative to heat the fat to between 80 and 100°C. A pressure vessel 9 is provided operative to heat the preheated fat to between 110 and 150°C and a pressure of between 2.5 and 3.5bar for between 10 and 30 minutes. A centrifuge 15 is provided operative to receive fat from the pressure vessel 9 and to separate solids and greaves from the fat and a waste outlet 17 through which the separated solids and greaves exit the centrifuge 15. A separator 25 is provided operative to receive fat from the centrifuge 15 and to separate water from the fat to reduce the water content of the fat to less than 2500ppm to form clarified fat. Finally, a water outlet 27 is provided through which the separated water can exit the plant 1; and a clarified fat outlet 43 is provided through which the clarified fat can exit the plant 1.

Description

A FAT CLARIFICATION PLANT
AND A METHOD OF CLARIFYING FAT
The present invention relates to a fat clarification plant and a method of clarifying fat, and particularly relates to plant fat, or solid animal fat that is removed from the animal during meat production for example.
Solid animal fat is a well known by-product of the meat production industry. Such solid fat can be processed to form other edible food products such as beef dripping for example. However, in view of the volumes of solid fat produced, it is desirable to be able to use the solid fat in higher volume products. It is particularly desirable to be able to use such solid fats as fuel for an internal combustion engine or the like.
Likewise, liquid plant fat is widely produced and is typically used in cooking, for example.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a fat clarification plant comprising a fat inlet operative to feed fat to a preheater, the preheater being operative to heat the fat to between 80 and 100°C; a pressure vessel operative to heat the pre-heated fat to between 110 and 150°C and a pressure of between 2.5 and 3.Sbar for between 10 and 30 minutes; a centrifuge operative to receive fat from the pressure vessel and to separate solids and greaves from the fat; a waste outlet through which the separated solids and greaves exit the centrifuge; a separator operative to receive fat from the centrifuge and to separate water from the fat to reduce the water content of the fat to less than 2500ppm to form clarified fat; a water outlet through which the separated water can exit the plant; and a clarified fat outlet through which the clarified fat can exit the plant.
A metal detector may be provided at the fat inlet operative to detect any metal content in the fat and to generate an output signal used by the plant to prevent fat from entering the preheater if metal content is detected.
A screw pump may be provided between the fat inlet and the preheater to pump fat from the fat inlet to the preheater.
Preferably the preheater comprises a fat holding vessel and a source of steam operative to heat the fat holding vessel.
A screw pump may be provided between the preheater and the pressure vessel to pump fat from the preheater to the pressure vessel.
Preferably the pressure vessel is provided with a source of steam operative to heat the pressure vessel.
Preferably the separator further comprises a waste solids outlet through which further separated non-fat solids can exit the separator.
A holding tank may be provided between the pressure vessel and the centrifuge. A holding tank may be provided between the centrifuge and the separator.
A photo cell may be provided at the clarified fat outlet operative to generate a signal indicative of the clarity of the fat flowing through the clarified fat outlet.
A recirculating valve may be provided at the clarified fat outlet operative to allow fat to flow through the outlet, or to recirculate fat to the centrifuge in dependence upon the signal generated by the photo cell.
A filter separator may be provided at the clarified fat outlet operative to further reduce the solids content of the clarified fat to less than 0.25% by weight.
The plant may further comprise a heated storage tank operative to receive clarified fat from the clarified fat outlet.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of clarifying fat comprising steps of: feeding fat to a preheater; using the preheater to preheat the fat to between 80 and 100°C; feeding the preheated fat to a pressure vessel; using the pressure vessel to heat the preheated fat to between 110 and 150°C and a pressure of between 2.5 and 3.Sbar for between 10 and 30 minutes; feeding fat from the pressure vessel to a centrifuge; using the centrifuge to separate solids and greaves from the fat; feeding fat from the centrifuge to a separator; using the separator to separate water from the fat to reduce the water content of the fat to less than 2SOOppm; removing the separated water through a water outlet; and removing the clarified fat through a clarified fat outlet.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided clarified fat produced according to the method of the second aspect of the invention.
Other aspects of the present invention may include any combination of the features or limitations referred to herein.
The present invention may be carried into practice in various ways, but embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a fat clarification plant in accordance with the present invention with the power consumption of each component being shown as examples only; and Figure 2 is the schematic view of the plant of Figure 1 showing control steps of the plant.
Referring to the Figures, a fat clarification plant 1 comprises a fat inlet 2 operative to feed solid fat past a metal detector 3 to a mincer 4. The metal detector 3 is operative to generate a signal that is used to stop the feeding of fat to the mincer 4 if metal content is detected. The mincer 4 is operative to mince the solid fat into minced fat particles of, in this example, between 10 and 12mm.
The minced fat particles are then transferred from the mincer 4 to a preheater 5 via screw pump 7. The preheater 5 comprises a heating vessel that is heated by a source of steam. The source of steam may be particular to the heating vessel, or may comprise a steam outlet connected to a large steam source that generates steam for other parts of the plant.
Preheated fat particles are transferred from the preheater 5 to a pressure vessel 9 via a screw pump 11. The pressure vessel 9 is heated by a source of steam and is operative to sealingly retain a predetermined amount of preheated fat particles in the vessel in order to apply temperature and pressure to the preheated fat particles. In this example, the preheated fat particles are heated to substantially 135°C at a pressure of substantially 3bar for substantially twenty minutes.
The heated and pressurised fat particles are then transferred, via pumps 12, 13 and holding tank 14 to a decanter centrifuge 15 which is operative to spin the heated and pressurised fat particles to separate the greaves. The centrifuge 15 is provided with a waste outlet 17 through which the separated greaves can exit the centrifuge 15. The waste outlet 17 may feed the greaves to a plant for further processing, for example, a fertiliser plant.
The separated fat particles are transferred, via pump 19, to a holding tank 21, from which they are transferred after a predetermined time, and via a further pump 23, to a separator centrifuge 25. Rotation of the separator centrifuge 25 separates water from the fat particles, the water exiting the centrifuge 25 via a waste water outlet 27. Rotation of the separator centrifuge 25 also separates non-fat solids from the fat particles and these exit the centrifuge 25 via a waste solids outlet 29.
The further separated fat particles are transferred, via pump 31, to a three way recirculation valve 33 the valve gates of which are controlled in response to the output of a photo cell 35. The photo cell 35 is operative to provide an output signal indicative of the clarity of the further separated fat particles. One output gate 37 of the valve 33 is connected via suitable pipework 39 to the holding tank 21. The other output gate 41 of the valve 33 is in communication with a clarified fat output 43.
If the further separated fat particles are insufficiently clear, the photo cell 35 generates a suitable signal which is used to open output gate 3? such that the further separated fat particles are recirculated to the holding tank 21 for recirculation in the separator centrifuge 25.
If the further separated fat particles are sufficiently clear, the photo cell 35 generates a suitable signal which is used to close output gate 3? and open output gate 41, the further separated fat particles being pumped through clarified fat outlet 43 as clarified fat for use. The clarified fat may be stored in a heated storage tank 45 if required.
The clarified fat processed as described above may be used as the basis for a fuel for an internal combustion engine either as it is, or after further processing.
The above described metal detector, steam sources, screw pumps, pumps, decanter centrifuge 15, separator centrifuge 25, photo cell 35 and three way valve 33 may all be linked to, and controlled by, a suitable electronic controller which may comprise a computer processor or processors. Such a controller can be provided with a display to display parameters of the plant 1 to an operator, and can be provided with an interface to enable to the operator to control some or all of the individual components as required. Some or all of the plant operation may be controlled automatically by the electronic controller.
The electronic controller may receive various control signals from each component indicative of the operational parameters of each component, and from sensors provided at various parts of the plant 1. Such sensors may produce output signals indicative of such parameters as weight of fat being processed, temperature, pressure, valve gate condition, pump activation and speed, and throughput both through each component and through the plant 1 overall.
On/off detection may be provided at some or all components, and an automatic shut-down algorithm may be provided.
It will be appreciated that the above steps may be varied or omitted, in dependence upon the type of fat used. For example, if liquid plant fat is used, the liquid fat need not be processed by the mincer 4.

Claims (16)

  1. CLAIMS1. A fat clarification plant comprising a fat inlet operative to feed fat to a preheater, the preheater being operative to heat the fat to between 80 and 100°C; a pressure vessel operative to heat the pre-heated fat to between 110 and 150°C and a pressure of between 2.5 and 3.5bar for between 10 and 30 minutes; a centrifuge operative to receive fat from the pressure vessel and to separate solids and greaves from the fat; a waste outlet through which the separated solids and greaves exit the centrifuge; a separator operative to receive fat from the centrifuge and to separate water from the fat to reduce the water content of the fat to less than 2SOOppm to form clarified fat; a water outlet through which the separated water can exit the plant; and a clarified fat outlet through which the clarified fat can exit the plant.
  2. 2. The plant of claim 1 wherein a metal detector is provided at the fat inlet operative to detect any metal content in the fat and to generate an output signal used by the plant to prevent fat from entering the preheater if metal content is detected.
  3. 3. The plant of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a screw pump is provided between the fat inlet and the preheater to pump fat from the fat inlet to the preheater.
  4. 4. The plant of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the preheater comprises a fat holding vessel and a source of steam operative to heat the fat holding vessel.
  5. 5. The plant of any one of the preceding claims wherein a screw pump is provided between the preheater and the pressure vessel to pump fat from the preheater to the pressure vessel.
  6. 6. The plant of any one of the preceding claims wherein the pressure vessel is provided with a source of steam operative to heat the pressure vessel.
  7. 7. The plant of any one of the preceding claims wherein the separator further comprises a waste solids outlet through which further separated non-fat solids can exit the separator.
  8. 8. The plant of any one of the preceding claims wherein a holding tank is provided between the pressure vessel and the centrifuge.
  9. 9. The plant of any one of the preceding claims wherein a holding tank is provided between the centrifuge and the separator.
  10. 10. The plant of any one of the preceding claims wherein a photo cell is provided at the clarified fat outlet operative to generate a signal indicative of the clarity of the fat flowing through the clarified fat outlet.
  11. 11. The plant of any one of the preceding claims wherein a recirculating valve is provided at the clarified fat outlet operative to allow fat to flow through the outlet, or to recirculate fat to the centrifuge in dependence upon the signal generated by the photo cell.
  12. 12. The plant of any one of the preceding claims wherein a filter separator is provided at the clarified fat outlet operative to further reduce the solids content of the clarified fat to less than 0.25% by weight.
  13. 13. The plant of any one of the preceding claims wherein the plant further comprises a heated storage tank operative to receive clarified fat from the clarified fat outlet.
  14. 14. A method of clarifying fat comprising steps of: feeding fat to a preheater; using the preheater to preheat the fat to between 80 and 100°C; feeding the preheated fat to a pressure vessel; using the pressure vessel to heat the preheated fat to between 110 and 150°C and a pressure of between 2.5 and 3.Sbar for between 10 and 30 minutes; feeding fat from the pressure vessel to a centrifuge; using the centrifuge to separate solids and greaves from the fat; feeding fat from the centrifuge to a separator; using the separator to separate water from the fat to reduce the water content of the fat to less than 2SOOppm; removing the separated water through a water outlet; and removing the clarified fat through a clarified fat outlet.
  15. Clarified fat produced according to the method of claim 14.
  16. 16. A fat clarification plant substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.t::r: INTELLECTUAL . ...* PROPERTY OFFICE Application No: GB 1110912.1 Examiner: Mr Martin Price Claims searched: 1-16 Date of search: 21 October 2011 Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17 Documents considered to be relevant: Category Relevant Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance to claims X 1-13 GB2458709A De Smet Ballestra -see e.g. the claims and examples X 1-13 US2006/0063912A1 Mullane -see e.g. the abstract and figure 1 Categories: X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive A Document indicating technological background and/or state step of the art.Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of before the filing date of this invention.same category.& Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Search of GB, EP, WO & US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKCX: Worldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC 1B01D;C11B The following online and other databases have been ised in the preparation of this search report EPODOC, WPI International Classification: Subclass Subgroup Valid From CuB 0003/00 01/01/2006 BOlD 0017/02 01/01/2006 BOlD 0017/038 01/01/2006 Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk
GB1110912.1A 2010-06-28 2011-06-28 A fat clarification plant and a method of clarifying fat Expired - Fee Related GB2481698B (en)

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GBGB1010835.5A GB201010835D0 (en) 2010-06-28 2010-06-28 A fat clarification plant and a method of clarifying fat

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GB201110912D0 GB201110912D0 (en) 2011-08-10
GB2481698A true GB2481698A (en) 2012-01-04
GB2481698B GB2481698B (en) 2014-01-29

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GB1110912.1A Expired - Fee Related GB2481698B (en) 2010-06-28 2011-06-28 A fat clarification plant and a method of clarifying fat

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US12102945B2 (en) 2018-12-28 2024-10-01 Neste Oyj Apparatus and method for heat treating a feedstock comprising a lipid material
US12359145B2 (en) 2018-12-28 2025-07-15 Neste Oyj Method for treating lipid materials

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060063912A1 (en) * 2004-08-05 2006-03-23 Mullane Dennis K Method and apparatus for insoluble reduction in tallow
GB2458709A (en) * 2008-05-19 2009-09-30 Smet Ballestra Engineering S A Centrifugal separation process for refining triglyceride oils

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060063912A1 (en) * 2004-08-05 2006-03-23 Mullane Dennis K Method and apparatus for insoluble reduction in tallow
GB2458709A (en) * 2008-05-19 2009-09-30 Smet Ballestra Engineering S A Centrifugal separation process for refining triglyceride oils

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US12102945B2 (en) 2018-12-28 2024-10-01 Neste Oyj Apparatus and method for heat treating a feedstock comprising a lipid material
US12359145B2 (en) 2018-12-28 2025-07-15 Neste Oyj Method for treating lipid materials

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201110912D0 (en) 2011-08-10
GB2481698B (en) 2014-01-29
GB201010835D0 (en) 2010-08-11

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732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)

Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20140206 AND 20140212

PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20230628