Germany-based marine oil distillation companies UIC and VTA, both of which are members of the industrial pipeline conglomerate Streicher Group, have published a joint case study suggesting that short path distillation of fish oils could save producers significant money.
The traditional method of refining crude oils – through chemical neutralization – treats fish oil with an alkaline solution that removes free fatty acids by turning them into soap. Though the treatment is effective, “a significant amount of the valuable product is emulsified and will be lost along with the soapstock.”
To respond to market and manufacturing pressures, UIC and VTA are now offering short path distillation (SPD), a non-chemical process which removes free fatty acids, pesticides, persistent organic pollutants (POP), and other substances which must be removed for fish oil to meet current regulations.
Though both methods of distillation are known to be effective, the UIC and VTA case study said that SPD has the potential to produce significant savings through limiting waste.
The case study offered this example to illustrate the possible savings.
“Assuming an annual production of 15,000 tons per year, replacing chemical neutralization by short path distillation saves 600 tons of valuable product. Based on a value of USD 3,000 to USD 4,000 (EUR 2,800 to EUR 3,700) per ton of crude oil, the total savings could be up to USD 2.4 million (EUR 2.2 million),” the study said.
The case study added that even smaller producers could benefit from such savings, as a company with a production volume of only 5,000 tons could save 200 tons of product and up to USD 800,000 (EUR 740,000) annually.
