Norit launches improved activated carbon grades for vegetable and fish oil purification
April 27, 2004 -  The use of powdered activated carbon for the purification of vegetable and fish oils has become increasingly important over the years due to tightened quality standards. In addition to the traditional use of Norit powdered carbons for removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from coconut oil, other oils including fish oils are now purified in order to meet EU or national quality standards. The recent introduction of dioxin limits for vegetable and fish oils and derivatives according to EU regulations gave another dimension to the use of powdered activated carbon and asked for innovations.
As the leading activated carbon manufacturer, especially for the vegetable and fish oil processing industry, Norit is committed to anticipate new trends in the market and to adapt the quality of our products to meet the highest standards. We aim to support customers completely.
About 2 years ago NORIT SA 4 PAH-HF, with improved filterability, was successfully introduced in the market to complement the established bench mark NORIT SA 4 PAH. This was done to eliminate filtration constraints in the process with the necessary dose of carbon to meet the quality standards. After years of research and testing, we now introduce upgraded qualities of the known grades NORIT SA 4 PAH and NORIT SA 4 PAH-HF. We have further improved the product characteristics by modification of the production processes including selection of raw materials.
The improved products are even more beneficial for our customers compared to the well-known "classic" products. At the same time, some features will remain unchanged: lot to lot consistency, reliability of supply, certified food grade quality and technical support before and after supply of our products in the market. Moreover, Norit supplies a full package of expertise about the use, storage, handling and dosing of our products, including systems. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding our new products.
Upgraded quality of NORIT SA 4 PAH and NORIT SA 4 PAH-HF: What is new?
The pore structure of the improved grades have been modified to provide a more selective adsorptive capacity with regards to persistent organic pollutants (POP), such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), dioxins, and polychlor biphenyls (PCB). The specification values on PAH adsorption have been increased. As before, results on light and heavy PAH adsorption indexes are reported on every Certificate of Analysis. Table 1 shows the differences between the classic and the new general characteristics.
The new NORIT SA 4 PAH has a narrow particle size distribution, which results in improved filtration time. Particle size classification, results in the substantial elimination of the smallest particle fraction, has created the new NORIT SA 4 PAH-HF with the same good filtration properties as the present product. Filtration time is now a specification for the new product. Comparative particle size distribution graphs for the classic and new quality products are available upon request.
In order to provide customers maximum confidence, we have further extended our quality control on purity aspects. Norit has a specification on Fluorescent substances and the results are reported on each Certificate of Analysis. Further, representative production samples are tested on the presence of dioxins by a certified external laboratory. Analysis reports with a dioxin free declaration are available upon request.
The apparent tamped density of the new grades is slightly higher: typically 545 kg/m3 for NORIT SA 4 PAH and 560 kg/m3 for NORIT SA 4 PAH-HF versus 500 kg/m3 for the classic grades. Please note that this higher density will have a slight impact upon volumes per pallet, volumes in silos and settings for dosing equipment (especially volumetric dosing).
Test Parameter |
Unit |
NORIT SA 4 PAH |
NORIT SA 4 PAH-HF |
|
|
Classic |
New |
Classic |
New |
Light PAH Adsorption Index |
— |
4.4 |
5.6 |
4.4 |
5.4 |
Heavy PAH adsorption Index |
— |
10.5 |
11.4 |
10.5 |
11.3 |
Total Surface Area |
m2/g |
900 |
1150 |
900 |
1150 |
Fluorescent substances |
|
Not tested |
Passes test |
Not tested |
Not tested |
Particle size, d10 |
µm |
3 |
5 |
5 |
7 |
Particle size, d50 |
µm |
20 |
38 |
30 |
36 |
test |
µm |
140 |
120 |
120 |
110 |
test |
min |
23 |
12 |
8 |
7 |
test |
kg/m3 |
500 |
545 |
500 |
560 |
Table 1: Comparison characteristics NORIT SA 4 PAH (HF) qualities: classic versus new
Availability of the upgraded NORIT SA 4 PAH and NORIT SA 4 PAH-HF
 Production of the new products started in late March 2004. In the second quarter of 2004 the product supplies will be completely converted to the new products.
We trust this information has been beneficial to you. However, if you need further assistance regarding these products and related services, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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