Fish oils are an important source of omega-3 fatty acids that are generally accepted as being responsible for good health and wellbeing. FT Technologies offers its high vacuum short path distillation system for the concentration of omega-3 fatty acid esters. This system is based on its unique RM series Centritherm evaporator that gives a number of advantages over traditional short path units.
Recovering an omega-3 fatty acid ester concentrate involves the following steps:
- Ethyl transesterification: generally uses batch, stirred reactor vessels.
- Removal of Glycerol: either by settling or centrifugation.
- Removal of excess ethanol: uses a standard low vacuum Centritherm evaporator.
- Distillation of omega-3 fatty acid esters: uses at least three processing steps. The first, commonly known as the degassing stage removes final traces of ethanol, moisture and dissolved gasses. This is followed by a further two (or possibly 3) distillation to separate out low boiling short chain esters and other volatile compounds resulting in a concentrated distillate of the omega-3 esters.
FT Technologies can supply suitable omega-3 processing equipment to suite a range of production requirements from a simple batch operation to a fully integrated, continuous processing line.
Batch process: By installing the standard plant consisting of a thin film degassing/heating unit and a short path unit, together with at least one reactor vessel and one or two intermediate tanks, each of the processing steps can be completed as separate batch operations.
Integrated process: FT Technologies can supply a completely integrated, continuous, omega-3 processing line. Installation of several batch reactor vessels allows a continuous operation. The complete process can be designed for easy installation and with the option of various levels of automation.
The RM series Centritherm evaporator can also be used for:
- Refining and deodorising of raw fish oils.
- Removal of excess ethanol after the esterification reaction.
Please contact FT Technologies for further information.
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