Analysis of palm oil refining equipment and refining process

Palm oil, as one of the largest edible oils and fats in the world, its refining process directly determines the quality and market value of the product. This article will analyze the core technology of palm oil refining from two dimensions of equipment configuration and process flow.

I. Refining equipment system

1. Core equipment matrix

Modern palm oil refining production line consists of six core equipment:

Heat exchanger: to realize graded utilization of heat energy and reduce energy consumption

Centrifuge: adopting double-stage centrifugal separation technology, the phospholipid removal rate can be up to 99.99%

Decolorizing tower: equipped with steam injection vacuum system, the vacuum degree is stable at 6-8mmHg

Deodorizing tower: adopting packing type vapor extraction tower, the loss rate of heat-sensitive substances is <0.3%

Filtration system: adopting plate and frame filtration + blade filtration double-stage filtration, the oil content of filter residue is <5%

Automation control system: integrated PLC and SCADA system, realizing real-time monitoring of process parameters

2. Equipment technical parameters

Typical equipment parameters of 10 tons/day refining line:

Processing capacity: 10-12 tons/24 hours

Steam consumption: ≤0.8 tons/ton of oil

Electricity consumption: ≤45kWh/ton of oil

Footprint: about 200 square meters

Staffing: 3-4 people/shift

2. Refining process flow

1. Pre-treatment stage

Gross oil filtration: vibrating screen + plate and frame filtration combination, to remove the particle size of >50μm impurities

Degumming process: phosphoric acid hydration method, the phosphoric acid addition of 0.05% -0.1%, the reaction temperature 0.05% -0.1%, the reaction temperature 0.05% -0.1%. 0.1%, reaction temperature 85-90℃

Centrifugal separation: centrifuge speed 6000-7000rpm, separation factor ≥8000

2. Neutralization and deacidification

Chemical neutralization: NaOH addition = theoretical amount × 1.05-1.10, reaction temperature 70-75℃

Physical deacidification: Vacuum ≤ 5mmHg, vaporization temperature 240-250℃, residence time 60-90min Wastewater treatment: Soap oil filtration: using vibrating screen + frame filtration combination to remove impurities with diameter > 50μm. 90min

Wastewater treatment: oil content of soap foot ≤15%, COD treatment efficiency ≥95%

3. Decolorization process

Adsorbent selection: activated white clay dosage of 1.5%-3.0%, activated carbon 0.1%-0.3%

Decolorization conditions: temperature 105-110 ℃, vacuum ≤5mmHg, time 20-30min

Filtration precision: 200 mesh filter cloth is used, the oil transmittance rate after filtration ≥ 98% (440nm)

4. Deodorization process

Operating parameters: temperature 240-260℃, vacuum degree 2-4mmHg, direct steam amount 8%-12%

Heat recovery: adopting three-stage heat exchange system, heat recovery efficiency ≥85%

Quality index: peroxide value ≤5meq/kg, anisidine value ≤10, trans fatty acid ≤1%

III. Direction of Process Optimization

Green refining technology:

Enzyme method Green refining technology: enzymatic degumming instead of chemical degumming, reduce wastewater discharge

molecular distillation deodorization technology, reduce the loss of heat-sensitive substances

Intelligent upgrading:

machine vision detection system, real-time monitoring of the color of the oil

Artificial Intelligence Process Optimization, dynamic adjustment of the operating parameters

Energy saving and reduction of energy consumption:

heat pump technology to recycle the residual heat of the low-temperature

Frequency control technology to reduce the energy consumption of the equipment

Quality control system

Process monitoring:

online acid price monitor, accuracy ± 0.05 mgKOH/g NIR mgKOH/g

Near-infrared spectral analyzer, real-time detection of phospholipids, free fatty acid content

Finished product standards:

Acid price ≤ 0.1mgKOH/g

Peroxide value ≤ 5meq/kg

Smoke point ≥ 230 ° C

Refrigeration test (0 ° C/5.5h) clarification and transparency

V. Industry development trends

Trend of miniaturization:

1-3 tons / day of small-scale refinery equipment demand is growing for the family workshop-style production

Modular design:

The equipment adopts containerized module, which is easy to transport and install.

Integration of the whole industry chain:

Integrated production line of pressing-refining-splitting to improve the utilization rate of resources.

Currently, the palm oil refining technology is developing in the direction of greening, intelligentization and refinement. Enterprises need to continue to optimize process parameters, improve equipment performance, and strengthen quality control in order to take advantage of the fierce competition in the market. As consumers’ demand for healthy fats and oils increases, the development of refining technology with low trans fatty acids and high vitamin E retention rate will become the industry’s key breakthrough direction.