Process for regenerating filter aid used in a winterization process

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for in situ regeneration of spent filler aid including the steps of: a) circulating through a spent filter aid cake in a circulation loop a regenerating oil at a temperature of from 40° C. to 100° C., in a regenerating oil spent filter aid (v/w)ratio from 0,3/1 to 12/1; b) removing the regenerating oil from the treated spent filter aid cake; and recovering the regenerated filter aid,

1 . A process for in situ regeneration of spent filter aid from a winterization process on a pressure leaf filter comprising the successive steps of:
 a) circulating a regenerating oil through a spent filter aid cake in a direction of filtration in a circulation loop at a temperature of from 40° C. to 100° C., in a regenerating oil/spent filter aid (v/w) ratio of from 0.3/1 to 12/1;   b) removing a portion of the regenerating oil from the spent filter aid cake resulting from step a), by draining and then blowing the treated spent filter aid cake, to form a treated spent filter aid cake containing from 35% to 50% of regenerating oil; and   c) recovering the treated spent filter aid cake thus regenerated.   
     
     
         2 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the regenerating oil is a non-refined, partially refined or fully refined vegetable oil. 
     
     
         3 . A process according to  claim 2 , wherein the vegetable oil is chosen as being partially refined or fully refined sunflower oil, olive, corn oil or cottonseed oil. 
     
     
         4 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the regenerating oil is chosen as being the same oil as the oil being winterized in the winterization process having generated the spent filter aid. 
     
     
         5 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the regenerating oil circulates through the spent filter aid cake at a temperature of from 45° C. to 85° C. 
     
     
         6 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the regenerating oil is circulating through the spent filter aid cake during 5 to 60 minutes. 
     
     
         7 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the regenerating oil/spent filter aid (v/w) ratio of from 1/1 to 9/1. 
     
     
         8 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the regenerating oil from the spent filter aid cake treated in step b) is blown with air or an inert gas. 
     
     
         9 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the spent filter aid cake is located in the pressure leaf filter, and the pressure leaf filter is located in an oil winterization apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the step h) comprises draining using air pressure and then blowing using air or an inert gas. 
     
     
         11 . A process according to  claim 10 , wherein the inert gas comprises nitrogen. 
     
     
         12 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein in the step b) the spent filter aid cake is not blown with steam.