/F0 6 0 R 14 0 obj Saponification is the process of hydrolysis of fats in the presence of a base. This is done by dividing the saponification value of potassium hydroxide by . Another object of the invention is to provide a process and apparatus of the above character which does not require the use of high pressures and actually can b e operated at or near atmospheric pressure, -or in vacuo. National Library of Medicine Some comparison with other compounds explaining that the intermolecular forces are stronger in propanoic acid; Give one advantage of the use of propanoyl chloride instead of propanoic acid in the laboratory preparation of methyl propanoate from methanol. The effectiveness of water-soluble antioxidants is limited in preventing direct oxidation within fats, but is valuable in intercepting free radicals that travel through the aqueous parts of foods. Solubilization rate of cassava pulp increased with increasing temperature of microwave heating treatment and . Pytka MJ, Domin RA, Tarchalski JL, Lubarska MI, oyski MS, Niziski J, Piskorski J, Wykrtowicz A, Guzik P. J Clin Med. endstream The percentage yield of ester was Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. Negative inductive effect by $\ce{Cl}$ enhances the rate. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Effects of acute and chronic exercise on fat metabolism. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00159.2003. 10 (d) A student investigated the extent of hydrolysis in an old sample of the fat in part 10(a). It depicts the milligrams of potassium hydroxide that are required for the saponification of one gram of fat. fvK5^bdECjP1F)~h:b~Q]*prUV!\4TZh eKjq2H7P(ek ,"C!CC0fL2D#L{ ;Dtuna:*hXeGB}b @ g6ER@c )7:8)2jZ Sqg3O@0:GEpTkU. Cv m (S YdH4;r?6^(O^bd0!`r@,BFh9Z4b90V0~tR3J e45b q`(EpPXM#3S*%TIXk! As pointed out in this article, twophase heat transfer coefficients can be quantitatively expressed in terms of three regions which are termed strati- `fied, slug and annular roughly in order of increasing proportions of gas to liquid. An unexpectedly high degree of hydrolysis occurred within the reactor. The experimental layout is presented in Figure 1. This involves the formation of compounds that have unpleasant odours and flavours within the food. H2 mh:(1n0LM+So444pbv_2U9JCAd"0m!|~11hP] oi,}wG}!eN:<5>) l}sNzMh-qYQJRIe5bTAcRcRFP:VVG JB 9GH]q4eA!,"fM\Z>kh9KX#Elk' ,L'!5e3~_U(_?'e%0J4*WRN>9d^ND1& }F3bpz!x n Name it. . Can Martian regolith be easily melted with microwaves? 11 0 obj The hydrolysis index was calculated as the area under the curve (AUC) for hydrolysis (0-180 min), with the product as a percentage of the corresponding AUC with refined wheat bread. The rate at which you have to add the acid is a measure of the rate of hydrolysis of urea. Under "standard" conditions (i.e. It affects millions of people worldwide, and the number of diabetes patients is increasing at an alarming rate. The central compound has the lowest rate among the three. The hydrolysis referred to labove normally is carried out with the use of a catalyst, such as sodium hydroxide, zinc oxide, potassium acetate, sulfuric acid, sulfonic acid and zinc chloride. The important feature of my invention is that hydrolysis will take place at atmospheric pressure and in the absence of a condensed water phase. If the hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon-carbon double bond are present on the same side of the double bond, then the fat molecule has cis geometry, and if they are present on the opposite sides then the fat molecule has transngeometry. By use of my process and reactor, it should be possible to cause this reaction to occur between a water phase and a tetrachlorobenzene phase lby ruse of extreme turbulence induced into the liquid phase Eby a gas phase even though the phases are relatively immiscible. << In the last years, however, the number of studies on the use of lupine as a potential food ingredient has increased. cost limits are high catalyst iron-iron oxide fused with MgO, Al2O3, SiO increases rate of reaction saves raw materials; The excess of steam creates the same condition as a vacuum so that the fatty acids and glycerine pass into the vapor phase even though the temperature may be below their normal boiling temperatures at atmospheric pressure. Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above character which is relatively simple and which can be constructed relatively economically. At the cathode, hydrogen ions combine with electrons from the external circuit to form hydrogen gas. It is apparent from the foregoing that I have not only provided a new and improved process and apparatus for the hydrolysis of fats and oils which can be utilized to provide a continuous process that can be carried out at or near atmospheric pressure, `but relatively high production is possible because residence times have been substantially reduced. Although Terylene is biodegradable, it is preferable to recycle objects made from Terylene. &z,3L` JATd"bJ5 2./f50eW^/OEuV{;5$7KvyZ,#7|si[pp#O;iV} A@H=OUo]gF}s{+x}{uObc^Cs}kb1z?@,iJ =o =p1B>, molecules is done using the base sodium hydroxide. Rates of hydrolysis in bicyclic and monocyclic compounds. The volatile oxidation products (largely formic acid[14]) are carried by the air current into the measuring vessel, where they are absorbed (dissolve) in the measuring fluid (distilled water). (1 mark), propan(e)-1,2,3-triol or 1,2,3- propan(e)triol, Give a use for the mixture of sodium salts formed in this reaction. IN A PROCESS FOR THE HYDROLYSIS OF FATS AND OILS, FORMING THE FAT INTO A SUBSTANTIALLY LIQUID PHASE HAVING A LINEAR VELOCITY RANGING FROM 10**1 TO 10**5 FEET PER HOUR, CONTACTING THE LIQUID PHASE WITH A GAS PHASE CONTAINING WATER AND HAVING A LINEAR VELOCITY RANGING FROM 10**3 TO 10**6 FEET PER HOUR TO PERTURB THE LIQUID PHASE AND TO THEREBY INDUCE EXTREME TURBULENCE IN THE LIQUID PHASE AND TO CAUSE FLOW OF THE GAS AND LIQUID PHASESES IN THE SLUG AND ANNULAR REGIONS, AND HEATING THE LIQUID PHASE WHILE IT IS BEING CONTACTED BY THE GAS PHASE TO CAUSE RELATIVELY RAPID HYDROLYSIS OF THE FAT IN THE LIQUID PHASE. >> rev2023.3.3.43278. Show your working. Three major subclasses are recognized: 1. If the fat contains one or more double bonds then it is unsaturated. For example, my process and apparatus can be utilized for 4the stripping and deodorization of animal and vegetable oils. >> Oxidative rancidity is associated with the degradation by oxygen in the air. B (i) and (iii) only Epub 2023 Feb 1. It is one of the healthy fats, along with polyunsaturated fat. The hydrolysis of urea results in the formation of two moles of ammonia and one of carbon dioxide, causing the pH of the mixture to rise as the reaction proceeds. Series, 57, No. The stratified type of flow can be characterized by the liquid and gas phases moving as continuous layers through the reactor with and without surface wave motion. [1], When these processes occur in food, undesirable odors and flavors can result. This fat mixture was pumped at the -rate of grams per minute into a preheat section and heated to 200 C. and then metered into the reactor. Also, amyl alcohol could be produced by hydrolyzing amyl chloride in an alkali system. [6], Despite concerns among the scientific community, there is little data on the health effects of rancidity or lipid oxidation in humans. A massive amount of crustaceans and bivalves are consumed each year, leading to millions of tons of processing side streams from the seafood industry. Thanks for contributing an answer to Chemistry Stack Exchange! (1 mark), fossil fuels used L. N. and White, K. L. 2000. 12 k B T, BNID 101989) depending on the concentration of the cation Mg 2+. by favouring the formation of fewer gas molecules ie formation of NH3(g) high pressure favours high rate and equilibrium yield. The mass spectrum of this ester shows a molecular ion peak at m/z = 136. The Front Public Health. The water molecule acts as a nucleophile in this reaction. Essentially pure distilled grade fatty acids were readily recovered from the fatty acid recovery system. In carrying out my invention, the gas phase can take several forms. >> Such an increasing trend in the flour FFA contents at 6 and 8 min could be due to the hydrolysis of fats favored by the high temperature (>100 C, Figure 1) and by the residual lipase activity in the flours during the treatment . The unsaturated fats can be classified into cis or trans fat depending upon its geometry. << endobj reduces landfill; Also, the concentration of glycerine is relatively high. Interventions aimed at increasing fat metabolism could potentially reduce the symptoms of metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes and may have tremendous clinical relevance. energy by creating an alternate path Energy of the product DOES NOT change Enzymes alter the rate of product formation butnot the free energy change (delta G)of a process (the chemical equilibrium is not changed). Manipulation of dietary carbohydrate and muscle glycogen affects glucose uptake during exercise when fat oxidation is impaired by beta-adrenergic blockade. When the reactor is operated at a pressure which is near or greater than approximately p.s.i. The final products depend on conditions: the lipoxygenase article shows that if a hydroperoxide lyase enzyme is present, it can cleave the hydroperoxide to yield short-chain fatty acids and dicarboxylic acids (several of which were first discovered in rancid fats). By creating this turbulence in the liquid phase, a great improvement occurs in the mass transfer rates which makes a correspondingly great improvement in the hydrolysis rate. SO2 produced/given off/formed which causes acid rain 00:48 Sample preparation01:07 Hydrolysis01:38 Filtration and Rinsing Reference methods in food processing and food quality control provide data . The use of excess steam facilitates the vaporization of the fatty acids and glycerine. 1. Hydrolysis ( / hadrlss /; from Ancient Greek hydro- 'water', and lysis 'to unbind') is any chemical reaction in which a molecule of water breaks one or more chemical bonds. FOIA Deduce the molecular formula of this ester. FIGURE 2 is a flow diagram illustrating my process. They are the esters which consist of three units of fatty acids that are linked to glycerol. In Dungeon World, is the Bard's Arcane Art subject to the same failure outcomes as other spells? 2004 Dec;287(6):E1195-201. A study from Harvard researchers in the March 2018 issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming monounsaturated fats, especially from nuts and olive oil, can lower a person's risk of heart disease especially if the healthy fat replaces saturated fat and refined carbs (which can also raise LDL levels). Over time, fats may become rancid. Symp. [6] Pasteurization and/or addition of antioxidant ingredients such as vitamin E, can reduce this process by destroying or inhibiting microorganisms. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. How can I check before my flight that the cloud separation requirements in VFR flight rules are met? US2139589A 1938-12-06 Hydrolysis of fats and oils. From the foregoing, it can be seen that there are a great number of degrees of freedom which can be utilized in practicing any invention -in which a gaseous phase is introduced into `the reaction mixture. Conversely, a volatile reactant can be maintained largely in the liquid phase with the use of pressure and suicient added gas to create the desired turbulence. However, these ow conditions are also influenced by the relative velocity of the gas and the liquid phases. Nagy D, Trunic N, Prmusz V, Krutek L, Lipcsik Z, cs P. Int J Environ Res Public Health. Give a chemical reagent that would enable the student to confirm the presence of propanoic acid in the extracted compounds. ]h -If you had trouble with this question, review the following material: Proteins are a macromolecule constructed from amino acids linked in unbranched polymers. 1 / 64. other amino acids. Careers. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. Comparing rates of hydrolysis in cyclohexane ring (involving neighbouring group participation), chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/58888/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neighbouring_group_participation, http://meskvmcollege.org/upload/study_material/30275.pdf, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. - orthocresol Sep 22, 2016 at 3:01 Live steam, equivalent to 30 grams of water per minute, was charged through a steam preheater and heated to a temperature of 200 C. This live steam was contacted to the preheated fat stream as the fat stream entered the reactor. A Human Model of the Effects of an Instant Sheer Weight Loss on Cardiopulmonary Parameters during a Treadmill Run. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. %PDF-1.5 Hydrolysis occurs at a very rapid rate because of the mass transfer hereinbefore described which occurs in the slug and annular regions of ow. Saturated fats and trans fats are solid at room temperature. The third reaction infact occurs via neighbouring group The double bonds of an unsaturated fatty acid can be cleaved by free-radical reactions involving molecular oxygen. PROCESS FOR HYDROLYSIS OF FATS AND OILS Filed July 18, 1962 I Fa/fj/ Aff/J5, @Gwen/7e) ifea/77) i INVENTOR /e/mef/v E. am/e. If the unsaturated fat contains multiple double bonds, then it is known as polyunsaturated fat. Water acts as co-substrate in a enzymatic fat hydrolysis reaction. <>>> A combination of water-soluble and fat-soluble antioxidants is ideal, usually in the ratio of fat to water. 2022 Dec 22;12(1):98. doi: 10.3390/jcm12010098. Within two to four hours after eating a meal, roughly 30 percent of the triacylglycerols are converted to diglycerides and . Thus, my process would lend itself to the production of esters commercially in a continuous process instead of by a batch method. This high degree of hydrolysis was greater by more than ten times that which should have been obtained in accordance with results calculated from rate constants in the literature. /Contents 13 0 R 6. 2. to cause hydrolysis of the fats to take place during the time that the liquid phase is being perturbed =by the gas -phase to cause at least one of the reaction products to be volatilized in vapor phase, removing the vapor phase and the gas, separating the vapor from the gas, and recirculating the gas through the reaction zone. $\ce{S_N1}$ mechanism occurs and $\ce{Cl}$ is replaced by $\ce{OH}$ where water itself acts as nucleophile. When steam is used as the `gas phase as explained above, an aqueous liquid phase is unnecessary. At an equivalent treatment time, the flour moisture level also had a significant (p < 0.05) effect. As pointed out, this is advantageous in that it facilitates the formation of the fatty acids and glycerine in the vapor phase which subsequently facilitates separation of the glycerine and fatty acids in relatively pure form in a simple inexpensive distillation operation. A (i), (ii) and (iii) only The steam phase was discharged to a second cyclone to recover the fatty acids and glycerine. Figure 12.2: Schematic of four phases of biogas production. The hydrolysis of fats using sodium hydroxide is known as saponification. x=mo6?}HHZHm{=M:vN~R|4\u/p^7M[Z9o]u|~~|7WmEo/_$ND_(Qo,("E^{)nw_Dx~^UMY+Ncvps, '8+.OE]2[?-,aI3L~~eEL/i 2 /Parent 5 0 R From the pure sugar solution xylose can be crystallized, or the mixture can be hydrogenated into sugar alcohols, and from this mixture the xylitol can be separated by crystallization. Try adding more high-fiber vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach, to. \0!ph +9 y*9!4R T1!Qk';LD "1g! 2022 Nov 29;10(12):2402. doi: 10.3390/healthcare10122402. Other than by cooling, suggest one method that would decrease the rate of hydrolysis of fats. J Sports Sci. fats, oils or starch is unrecognizable in both fraction and extract. In addition, rancidification can be decreased by storing fats and oils in a cool, dark place with little exposure to oxygen or free radicals, since heat and light accelerate the rate of reaction of fats with oxygen. The slowing down of chemical processes is important in food storage. The difference between the phonemes /p/ and /b/ in Japanese. Its rate is unaffected by temperature in the range of 26-46 C. Olive oil is more rapidly hydrolyzed compared to tallow and coconut oil. Also, alternatively, an additional inert gas, such as nitrogen, can be utilized in conjunction with a liquid aqueous phase. Possible Investigations Investigate the effect of changing the concentra tion of the enzyme on the rate of the reaction. Does there exist a square root of Euler-Lagrange equations of a field? 44 i.e. The fat was introduced into the reactor at the rate `of 100 grams per minute and the water wasv introduced at a rate of 70 grams per minute. 3. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the The fat can be in the form of a solid if it can be fed at a uniform and controlled rate. equilibrium system opposes higher pressure. Fat hydrolysis may yield monosaccharide and glycerol? The hydrolytic polycondensation reactions and final product can be controlled by adjusting the hydrolysis reaction, which was investigated under a variety of conditions, such as different. What is the purpose of this D-shaped ring at the base of the tongue on my hiking boots? endobj US3428660A 1969-02-18 Process for recovering fatty acids and triglyceride oil from soapstock. In the third compound $\ce{S}$ atom attacks carbon containing $\ce{Cl}$ by $\ce{SN_{NGP}}$ forming sulphonium ion. Dependence of rates of neighbouring group participation on length of alkyl chain, Comparing the rates of hydrolysis of different haloalkanes. As a result, the fats become tiny droplets and separate from the watery components. Ring flip definitely happens. Food Hygiene, including Rancidity", "Oxidation of Marine Omega-3 Supplements and Human Health", "Dietary advanced lipid oxidation endproducts are risk factors to human health", "Potential health lmplications of the consumption of thermally-oxidized cooking oils a review", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rancidification&oldid=1139596394, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles to be expanded from November 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 22:58. Antimicrobial agents can also delay or prevent rancidification by inhibiting the growth of bacteria or other micro-organisms that affect the process.[1]. Chemistry Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for scientists, academics, teachers, and students in the field of chemistry. No attempt was made to isolate the glycerine. The cusp point of the oxidation curve (the point where a rapid rise in the conductivity starts) gives the induction time of the rancidification reaction,[15] and can be taken as an indication of the oxidative stability of the sample. /Type /Page The natural antioxidants tend to be short-lived,[13] so synthetic antioxidants are used when a longer shelf-life is preferred. Another object of the invention is to provide a process and apparatus of the above character in which rapid mass transfer in all phases is utilized. The base potassium hydroxide can also be used for saponification. 13 0 obj Equation propyl methanoate; (v) CH3CH2CH2OH A process as in claim 1 wherein the gas phase is steam and wherein the contacting of the steam with the liquid phase takes place at substantially atmospheric pressure, the quantity of steam being substantially greater than that required stoichiometrically for hydrolysis so that at least one of the products of hydrolysis are volatilized in the vapor phase. [8][9] Animal studies show evidence of organ damage, inflammation, carcinogenesis, and advanced atherosclerosis, although typically the dose of oxidized lipids is larger than what would be consumed by humans.[10][11][12]. Epub 2003 Oct 14. and transmitted securely. Considering the current trend of (bio)circular and zero-waste food production, crustacean and bivalve processing side streams (CBPS) seem a promising and emerging resource for producing high-value-added products. One recognized commercial rprocess requires pressures of approximately 800 p.s.i., a temperature .of 300 C. and a two hour residence time in a counter-current reactor tower in order to carry out the hydrolysis reaction. The most energy-dense macronutrient in the human body is fat. \0!ph +9 y*9!4R T1!Qk';LD "1g! The outlet or efuent end of the reactor 10 is connected to a cyclone separator 21 of a conventional type which separates the vapor phase from the liquid phase. So summing up: $$\ce{rate_3>rate_1>rate_2}$$. A common type of hydrolysis occurs when a salt of a weak acid or weak base (or both) is dissolved in water. /Length 14 0 R ]j\V#6lo H9 A (i), (ii) and (iii) only The site is secure. All of the foregoing reactions and volatilizations can be readily accomplished with my process and apparatus because they all involve mass transfer reactions in a confined zone. /F2 12 0 R In the latter process, the triglyceride undergoes hydrolysis to form glycerol and carboxylic acid. The steam thus preheated is introduced as superheated steam into the reactor 11. Comparing Rate of Hydrolysis of Acyl halides, Follow Up: struct sockaddr storage initialization by network format-string, How do you get out of a corner when plotting yourself into a corner, Theoretically Correct vs Practical Notation, Trying to understand how to get this basic Fourier Series. Fat oxidation rates increase from low to moderate intensities and then decrease when the intensity becomes high. endstream control, except at 150 and 180 min. Int J Sports Med. Lambert EV, Hawley JA, Goedecke J, Noakes TD, Dennis SC. Zderic TW, Schenk S, Davidson CJ, Byerley LO, Coyle EF. With a single pass through the reactor, the hydrolysis was l5 percent `of `the possible hydrolysis which theoretically could occur. Product must have lower energy than reactants to attain a spontaneous . A protein extract containing a plant lipase from oleaginous seeds of Pachira aquatica was tested using soybean oil, wastewater from a poultry processing plant, and beef fat particles as substrate. Comparison of Metabolic Characteristics of Physically Active Individuals with Different Training Habits during Incremental Treadmill Test. One of the most popular methods currently in use is the Rancimat method. <>/ExtGState<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> /Filter /LZWDecode In fact, no, this is slightly more complicated. (b) Waxes, which yield fatty acids and long-chain alcohols upon hydrolysis. participation. Although a relatively large range of ow conditions can be utilized in my process in my apparatus, I have found that the liquid phase can have a linear velocity ranging from l01 to 105 feet per hour and that the gaseous phase can have alinear velocity of 103 to 106 feet per hour while still achieving flow in the slug or annular regions. The amount of base that is needed for the saponification of a sample of fat is called saponification value. /Font << Comparing with the middle compound the leftmost and rightmost compound will certainly have higher rate of hydrolysis due to presence of good leaving group $\ce{PhS^-}$. 2177 He demonstrated that the hpid fraction of the raw sewage sludge accounted for approximately 50% of the biodegradable COD of the sludge. l ;43,IZ)u0b/Hs:pR oLIT/RM-&}?n4 #EU!O Allow an answer which refers to removal of water from the environment. (iii) CH3CH2OH Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. In such a use, the oil is intimately contacted -by the gas phase (e.g. 8600 Rockville Pike Try to eat more: For example, alkyl halides could be produced by hydrolyzation with my process and apparatus. (1 mark) Keeping the foodstuff dry. [2], Rancidification can also detract from the nutritional value of food, as some vitamins are sensitive to oxidation. What is a word for the arcane equivalent of a monastery? Publication Publication Date Title. The hydrogen used in this method is obtained from the electrolysis of water. Cold-pressed The oil is pressed without use of heat. Complicated. The distillation unit 23 can be operated at the temperature of the vapors which are supplied to it. Plan an experiment to hydrolyse an oil and measure the rate of hydrolysis. A process as in cl-aim 5 wherein the gas phase is steam and wherein an excess amount of steam is introduced into the reaction zone beyond that required stoichiometrically to enhance the `formation of the reaction product in the vapor phase. [7] Oxidation primarily occurs with unsaturated fats. Examples II and III also show that my process is not limited by liquid phase equilibrium considerations. But how to compare between the leftmost and rightmost compound's rates? If this is the case, it may be desirable to recirculate these unreacted -fats through the reactor 10 through the pipe 26 as indicated in FIGURE l. The separator 21 is operated at or near the temperature of the eluent from the reactor 11. Propanal is formed as an intermediate during this oxidation. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal Fats are composed of triglycerides. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. The lipids that consist of triglycerides or triesters of glycerol are called fats. R-Cl (aq) + H 2 O (l) R-OH (aq) + Cl - (aq) + H + (aq) Or R-Cl (aq) + H 2 O (l) R-OH (aq) + HCl (aq) Whichever expression you prefer, it's important for students to understand that hydrochloric acid is formed rather than hydrogen chloride, which is a gas. Comparatively speaking, the steam can be superheated to the desired temperature with a relatively small amount of heat. The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). At room temperature, they exist as solids. My process and apparatus also should be usable for the oxidation of hydrocarbons. As blood sugar levels rise, the pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that prompts cells to absorb blood sugar for energy or storage. stream `RxP 17N3`9>[J!o*'DAt ):-B1c;n:L$(@nxj")LcBB0303;8jA8VsCq083Z:!F4\6p7 0a 7(4!,AD/ZS=L*x2#p8NU;:>e=s{CW='JlE, t[75C0f;cB#sP*-K,PM-C09 h7%u7%p5H# O;%L> This chemical process continues during frozen storage, though more slowly at lower temperature. The steam phase had a linear velocity of 180,000 feet per hour and the fat phase had a linear velocity of 3500 feet per hour. (4 marks), Adv 1n order to obtain the greatest rates of hydrolysis in my process, the higher temperatures vwithin the range specified are preferred. stream The apparatus shown in FiG- URE 1 consists of a reactor 10 which is in the form of a relatively long tube 11 of a suitable material such as stainless steel The tube 11 is covered with a heating jacket 12 of a conventional type and which is heated by suitable means such as superheated steam, hot oil or Dowtherm, or electrical heating elements so that a heated reaction zone is formed in the tube.