The separation of glycerides by crystallization in a thermal gradient

Summary An apparatus designed to separate materials by automatic recrystallization in a thermal gradient has been tested for its ability to separate model glyceride mixtures. The theory of the separation has been discussed. The apparatus was able to separate the model mixtures efficiently; the separation was limited only by the actual relative solubilities of the components and the formation of eutectic mixtures. This apparatus should be useful in the separation of many lipide mixtures where crystallization is an appropriate technique.