The Crown Fat Spitting Plant utilizes the classic Colgate-Emery process for nearly complete (>98%) hydrolysis of neutral oil feed. The Fat Splitting Column operates at 250C to 260C and at pressures up to 50 barg. The high temperature and countercurrent flow allow for a high degree of hydrolysis without catalysts. The residual energy from the splitter discharge streams is used to flash moisture from those streams, which reduces energy consumption in subsequent processing.

Important features include:

• Long retention time in the splitting column
• Efficient internal heat exchange to maximize thermal efficiency
• No catalyst required
• Splitting can be accomplished in a single column for efficient operation
• Generously sized equipment to allow for variations in feedstock quality
• Automatic control of level, pressure, and temperature process parameters

The split fatty acids are discharged from the top of the column and concentrated in a flash vessel. These fatty acids can then be further purified with Fatty Acid Distillation.

Sweetwater is discharged from the bottom of the column and concentrated in a flash vessel. This sweetwater can then be further purified with various processes including Glycerine Refining.