Stripping medium requirement in continuous countercurrent deodorization

A mathematical formula was derived that allows the stripping steam requirement of the countercurrent deodorization process to be calculated as a function of system pressure, vapor pressure of the pure volatile compound, initial and final volatiles contents, and the number of transfer units (an equipment parameter) of the countercurrent deodorizer. lust as in batch or cross-flow deodorization systems, the steam requirement in countercurrent systems is proportional to the system pressure and inversely proportional to the vapor pressure of the pure volatile compound. Increasing the number of transfer units (for instance, by increasing column height) to more than two makes the countercurrent system require less steam than cross-flow systems with a vaporization efficiency of 0.6. in addition, the short residence time in a countercurrent deodorization column minimizes side reactions and allows the deodorization temperature to be raised without generating unwanted by-products such as Irans-isomers and/or oligomers of unsaturated fatty acids. The increased deodorization temperature increases the vapor pressure of the pure volatiles and leads to further savings in stripping medium and motive steam. Countercurrent deodorization systems therefore require less energy than cross-flow deodorization systems and/or produce oil with fewer unwanted by-products.