USE OF A SEPARATION METHOD FOR SEPARATING INTO FRACTIONS A MIX OF FATTY ACIDS RESULTING FROM FERMENTATION

摘要

Use of a flexible, energy efficient method for separating into fractions a mix of fatty acids resulting from fermentation. The mix of fatty acids comprises at least three fatty acids selected from the group consisting of straight-chain or branched C2 – C10 fatty acids. The mix of fatty acids, optionally after a pre-separation, is fed into an inlet arrangement (10) of a dividing wall column (1). The dividing wall column (1) is provided with means for controlling temperature and pressure inside said dividing wall column (1). The dividing wall column (1) is further provided with a first outlet arrangement (11) at the top of the dividing wall column (1), a second outlet arrangement (12) at the middle of the dividing wall column (1) and a third outlet arrangement (13) at the bottom of the dividing wall column (1). At least the temperature and the pressure in the dividing wall column (1) is adjusted after analysis of the distribution of fatty acids in the mix of fatty acids prior to being fed into the inlet arrangement (10).