Process for deodorizing and/or physical refining relatively small, varying charges of high-boiling liquids

A continuous process for deodorizing and/or physically refining at least first and second untreated charges of different high-boiling liquids, said process comprising:

• (1) supplying a first untreated charge via a supply conduit in which plug-flow is maintained to a deflector plate of a falling-film column with at least one stage having trickle passages communicating with the deflector plate;
• (2) Contacting the first charge with a continuous supply of stripping steam as the first charge passes through the trickle passages, the walls of the trickle passages being maintained at a higher temperature than the down-flowing liquid film of the first charge and the stripping steam passing through the trickle passages in counter-current flow to the down-flowing liquid film;
• (3) removing the treated first charge from the bottom of the falling-film column via a discharge conduit in which plug-flow is maintained;
• (4) directly following the first charge,supplying a second untreated charge via the supply conduit in which plug-flow is maintained;
• and
• (5) interrupting for a short period of time the flow of the second untreated charge while maintaining the supply of steam once the front of the untreated second charge has reached a location adjacent the deflector, after which interruption the flow of the second untreated charge is continued along the supply conduit to the falling-film column.