Vanaspati is obtained by controlled hydrogenation of edible
liquid oils (called 'soft oils'), so that its hardness
consistency and rainy appearance resemble natural Ghee
(clarified butter).
The addition of hydrogen to an oil occurs when the hydrogen
gas is brought into contact with the oil at high temperatures
in the presence of metallic Nickel Catalyst prepared under
controlled conditions.
What
is Vanasapti?
Everyone knows oils and fats as an ingredient of daily
food or perhaps as a raw material or soap making. But
only a few people know them as a group of organic compounds
called 'Fatty Acids'. Fatty Acids, in their turn, are
formed by union of several carbon atoms in a straight
chain with hydrogen and oxygen atoms.
A single chain may contain anywhere from 6 to 24 carbon
atoms, but the common one are 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 carbon
chains. A fatty acid is said to be saturated when all
the carbon atoms are combined with hydrogen to their full
capacity. They are said to be unsaturated when the addition
of hydrogen. Higher the unsaturation, lower is the melting
point of fatty acid. As such, many oils containing large
amounts of unsaturated fatty acids in chemical combination,
remain as liquids at normal temperature. Those which contain
lesser amounts of unsaturated acids exist as solid or
semi-solid fats at normal temperatures.
A liquid oil can be converted to a required degree of
hardness by reducing its unsaturation by controlled reaction
with hydrogen. Vanaspati is a product obtained by such
controlled hydrogenation of edible liquid oils (called
`soft oils' in the Industry), so that its hardness consistency
and grainy appearance resemble natural Ghee. The addition
of hydrogen to an oil occurs when the hydrogen gas is
brought into contact with the oil at higher temperatures
in the presence of metallic Nickel Catalyst prepared under
controlled conditions. In practice, however, the process
is not as simple. Several steps are involved in the process
as described in succeeding paragraphs.
Hydrogen
Gas Generation
Hydrogen
gas required for the hydrogenation reaction is obtained
by the electrolysis of water. When high electric current
is passed through water it electrolyses, so that Hydrogen
and Oxygen are produced. The hydrogen gas is washed free
from impurities and collected in a low pressure gas holder.
It is then compressed into high pressure storage cylinders
from where it is drawn for use in the processing plant.
We supply both monopolar as well as bipolar electrolytic
cells as per customer requirement.
Vanaspati is obtained by controlled hydrogenation of edible
liquid oils (called 'soft oils'), so that its hardness
consistency and rainy appearance resemble natural Ghee
(clarified butter).
