1. Degumming and Neutralization (batch & continuous)
Degumming and Neutralization are important phases in the refining process aimed at removing impurities from crude vegetable oils, particularly phosphatides, commonly referred to as gums. Their elimination is vital for two primary reasons: they can cause considerable losses during the refining process and may decompose, leading to discoloration of the oil due to their instability when subjected to heat. We apply various methods depending on the type of oil:
- For Low FFA Crude Oils like Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Corn Oil & Coconut Oil: Water Degumming, Neutralization, and Water Washing are utilized.
- For High FFA Crude Oils such as Palm Oil & Cottonseed Oil: Total Degumming and Water Washing are employed.
In the Water Degumming process, crude oil is treated with a specific volume of water to facilitate hydration. As hydrated gums do not dissolve in oil, they precipitate. These hydrated gums are subsequently removed from the oil. At this stage, only the gums that can be hydrated are eliminated. To remove non-hydratable gums, the oil is treated with an acid such as phosphoric acid.
Neutralisation process removes free fatty acids (FFA) & Phosphatides from soft oils like Soya, Rapeseed, Coconut oil, corn germ oil, Sunflower oil & Shea butter etc. This procedure involves the incorporation of caustic lye into acid-conditioned oil, which neutralizes free fatty acids and transforms them into soap. Afterward, the oil is processed to extract the soap while also eliminating non-hydratable gums and metal residues. The Total Degumming process consists of dispersing phosphoric or citric acid into the oil, allowing for a contact period before introducing lye into this acid-oil emulsion, followed by a retention period of 2-3 hours. The oil is then processed to remove gums.
2. Bleaching
Bleaching is a crucial step in the chemical and physical refining of vegetable oils and fats. This process involves removing phospholipids and metals from the oil using adsorbents, primarily bleaching earths, sometimes combined with others like silica or active carbon. In physical refining, an acid conditioning step is often used beforehand to enhance the removal of phosphatides, metals, and soaps, referred to as dry pretreatment. During bleaching, color components are eliminated, and peroxides are decomposed. Activated carbons can also help remove unwanted contaminants such as heavy PAH, dioxins, and PCBs. The bleaching step significantly influences the oil's final quality after deodorization, affecting shelf life, stability, color, and contaminants. Whitehorse has extensive experience in designing bleachers and bleaching lines for various applications, including continuous and batch plants. Various edible oils require bleaching like Palm oil, Soybean oil, Rapeseed oil, Coconut oil, corn germ oil, Sunflower oil & Shea butter etc.
3. Deodorization
Deodorization process is employed to eliminate undesirable odours, flavours, and other volatile substances from oil through steam distillation wherein odorous compounds are removed by injecting live steam into heated oil under high vacuum conditions. This process is essential in the refinement of edible oils, with the objective of producing a high-quality product characterized by enhanced taste and aroma. Deodorization effectively removes volatile substances such as aldehydes, ketones, and alcohols that contribute to unpleasant odours and flavours. Furthermore, it reduces free fatty acids (FFAs), as a high FFA content can result in off-flavours and rancidity, thereby improving the overall quality of the refined oil. Certain colour pigments may also decompose during this high-temperature process. The bleached & deavated oil is pumped through the heat exchanger in Deodorizer & bleached oil is heated with deodorized oil coming out from deodorizing trays. The oil is heated to a specific temperature, typically ranging from 180°C to 260°C. The procedure is carried out under vacuum to decrease the boiling point of volatile compounds, facilitating their removal. Steam is introduced into the hot oil, transporting away volatile compounds, including free fatty acids and odorous substances. The volatile compounds, now in vapour form, are subsequently condensed back into liquid and extracted from the oil.
Generally, higher temperatures enhance the efficiency of volatile compound removal; however, excessive temperatures may result in the formation of trans-fatty acids. The vacuum levels are critical for lowering the boiling point of volatile compounds and aiding in their removal. Additionally, the duration of the process impacts the efficiency of volatile compound removal, while the quantity of steam utilized affects the stripping process and the quality of the final product. Most of the vegetable oils are deodorized including Soybean Oil, Canola Oil, Sunflower Oil, Palm Oil, Maize Germ oil, Cottonseed Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, Peanut Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Mustard Oil, Castor Oil & Coconut Oil etc.
Vegetable Oil Refinery / Edible Oil Refinery Plant - Manufacturers & Exporters company from India.
Whitehorse Engg. & overseas is a leading manufacturer and supplier of solutions for edible oil refinery, committed to converting crude vegetable into high quality consumable products. Refining can be conducted through physical or chemical methods and it can be Batch or Continuous Type. In certain cases, batch refining may be preferred over continuous process but above certain capacity, continuous refinery is efficient & preferred. Batch type Refinery Plants are preferred for small scale capacities as the capital cost is low. For medium & high capacity Refineries, continuous oil refinery should be opted due to less losses of oil and lower cost of production.
The oil refining procedure involves processing a specific quantity of oil through a series of steps including neutralizing, bleaching, dewaxing and deodorizing. Crude vegetable oil can contain impurities such as (gum) phosphatides, free fatty acids (FFA), pigments, mono and di-glycerides, sterols, tocopherols, hydrocarbons, protein fragments, harmful pesticides or heavy metals. Refining process is required for various edible/vegetable oils & fats like Cottonseed Oil, Soybean oil, Sunflower Oil, Palm Oil, Maize Germ Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter & Groundnut Oil etc. to make these oils free from all impurities, reduce the colour, remove wax, odour, separate olein & stearin.
WhiteHorse Overseas is a premier provider of turnkey project solutions for Vegetable Oil Refinery / Edible Oil Refinery manufacturing and installation projects from India to Worldwide countries. With a commitment to delivering high-quality, efficient, and reliable services, we specialize in end-to-end project execution for the oil refinery and processing industry. From initial planning and design to installation and commissioning, our comprehensive approach ensures our clients receive customized solutions tailored to their specific needs.
WhiteHorse Overseas are the well known manufacturers and exporters of Vegetable Oil Refinery Plant,
Cottonseed Oil Refinery Plant,
Sunflower Oil Refinery Plant,
Soybean Oil Refinery Plant,
Rice Bran Oil Refinery Plant,
Maize Germ Oil Refinery Plant,
Coconut Oil Refinery Plant,
Rapeseed Oil Refinery Plant,
Mustard Oil Refinery Plant,
Palm Oil Refinery Plant
in India, Punjab, Ludhiana.
