Steve J Rathbone

US Patent:

6448423, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

May 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/568071

Inventors:

Ernesto Hernandez - Bryan TX
Steve J. Rathbone - College Station TX

Assignee:

The Texas AM University System - College Station TX

International Classification:

C11B 310

US Classification:

554197, 554206

Abstract:

This invention relates to the refining of glyceride oils in the food industry. More particularly, this invention is directed to the removal of free fatty acids and soapstock from oils during refining. The method and apparatus of the invention contact the crude glyceride oil with an agglomerating agent, preferably a soluble silicate solution, such that the contaminants agglomerate in a discrete phase. This discrete phase is separated from the liquid oil phase through physical separation means, preferably filtration.