Abstract
Processing equipment for the refining of oils and fats d o not only have t o produce a high quality product but should also be very economical. More and more stringent environmental regulations form an additional requirement. Primary actions t o reduce emission‐loads have t o be looked at from the beginning in the main processing equipment in comparison with the fundamental processing parameter. Each of the various processes has its own specific angle of approach. In conjunction herewith special vacuum‐equipment may lead to substantial reductions in investment. Secondary actions often mean high investment costs and in most cases the problems are not solved but merely shifted. An optimal solution cannot be given generally. The process design engineer has t o arrive at his optimal solution bearing in mind and balancing the cost situation and the prevailing legal rules and regulations. The supplier of the equipment can assist him in this matter with specific consumption figures. For deodorising plants following recommendations are given: In the case of large outputs and large vapour‐loads dry condensation means the optimum solution considering investment, specific consumption figures and resulting waste‐water. In the case of medium‐sized plants a difficult decision has to be taken in respect of return on capital, specific consumption figures and environmental conditions. In the case of small‐sized plants the nitrogen may help t o reduce the investment cost for such plant since it means a reduced volume of necessary plant equipment and most of all a reduction in cost due t o the elimination of waste‐water treatment plant which normally is inherent with the conventional method. However the primary condition t o these recommendations as given above, is the analysis of the stripping‐steam consumption figure as the first action to be taken. Again it should be underlined that a strategy of avoidance rather than curative actions must begin in the main processing equipment.