Method of producing high density tocopherol acid succinate
View Patent ↗A process is described for making high density tocopherol succinate powder. In this process, a solution of tocopherol succinate is prepared in hexane. The hexane is removed under heat and pressure. The resulting powder is then mixed with hexane yielding larger particles and a denser product. In the process, an atmosphere enriched in nitrogen is maintained over said tocopherol powder during said process.
1. In a process for making high density tocopherol succinate powder by the steps of:
a) forming a solution of tocopherol succinate in hexane;
b) applying heat and vacuum to remove hexane and precipitate a powder tocopherol succinate product;
c) holding the product under a low pressure to remove residual hexane to provide a tocopherol succinate powder with a reduced hexane content and agitating the tocopherol succinate powder to form larger particles of the powder; and
d) evaporating the hexane, the improvement which comprises: maintaining an atmosphere enriched in nitrogen over said tocopherol succinate powder during said process.
2. The process of claim 1 wherein the solution of tocopherol succinate in hexane contains about 25% to about 55% by weight of tocopherol succinate.
3. The process of claim 2 wherein the solution contains about 40% by weight of tocopherol.
4. The process of claim 1 wherein in step c) the low pressure is about 2 to 5 mm of pressure.
5. The process of claim 1 wherein steps c) and d) are carried out in a fluidized bed.
6. The process of claim 5 wherein a temperature of a fluidizing gas is not higher than about 30° C.
7. The process of claim 1 wherein the atmosphere enriched in nitrogen comprises at least about 95% nitrogen based on the total pressure.
8. The process of claim 2 wherein the tocopherol succinate powder is mixed before spraying hexane on the agitated powder.