African palm oil refining mainly has the following steps and related points:

filter:

Purpose: To remove insoluble solid impurities in crude oil, such as silt, cake meal, fiber, clay, etc. These impurities not only affect the appearance and quality of the oil, but may also have adverse effects on the subsequent refining process.

Method: Heat the crude oil to a certain temperature, usually between 60℃-80℃, to reduce the viscosity of the oil and improve the filtration efficiency. The crude oil is then filtered through equipment such as plate and frame filters, bag filters or centrifugal filters to remove solid impurities.

Degumming:

Purpose: To remove phospholipids, mucus, resin, protein, sugar, trace metals and other peptidic impurities in crude oil. Peptide-soluble impurities such as phospholipids can make the oil turbid and produce black precipitates when heated, affecting the quality and stability of palm oil.

Method: The most commonly used method is the hydration degumming method. An appropriate amount of water is added to the oil to cause the peptidic impurities such as phospholipids to absorb water and swell to form micelles, which are then separated by centrifugation or precipitation. In addition, the acid refining and degumming method can also be used, using acid to react with impurities such as phospholipids to generate insoluble substances, which can then be separated.

Deacidification:

Purpose: Use food-grade alkali neutralization method to remove free fatty acids, acidic pigments, sulfides, insoluble impurities and trace metals in oil. Free fatty acids not only affect the flavor of palm oil, but also promote rancidity of the oil, reducing its quality and storage stability.

Method: Add a certain amount of alkali solution, such as sodium hydroxide solution, to the degummed oil to cause a neutralization reaction between the alkali solution and free fatty acids to generate soap and water. The soap is then separated by centrifugation or sedimentation to achieve the purpose of deacidification.

Washing:

Purpose: To wash away the saponin and water-soluble impurities remaining in the oil during the deacidification process. If these impurities are not removed in time, they will affect the taste and quality of palm oil.

Method: Mix the deacidified oil with an appropriate amount of hot water, stir for a period of time, and then let it stand for layering. Then drain the lower aqueous phase and repeat 2-3 times to ensure that impurities are fully removed.

Dehydration:

Purpose: The oil after washing will contain a certain amount of moisture. It is necessary to use heating and vacuum drying methods to remove the moisture in the refined oil to improve the storage stability and quality of palm oil.

Method: Heat the washed oil to 100℃-120℃, dry it under a vacuum of 0.08-0.1MPa, and evaporate the water and extract it until the moisture content in the oil drops below the specified standard.

Depigmentation:

Purpose: Use adsorbents such as clay, aluminum silicate, and activated carbon to remove various pigments, colloids, oxides, etc. in the oil to lighten the color of palm oil and improve its appearance quality.

Method: Mix the dehydrated oil with a certain amount of decolorizing agent, and perform an adsorption reaction at a certain temperature and stirring speed. The decolorizing agent that has adsorbed impurities such as pigments is then separated by filtration or centrifugation to obtain decolorized palm oil.

Deodorization:

Purpose: Use the principle of vacuum air stripping to remove low-molecular odor substances, free fatty acids, monoglycerides, glycolipids, sulfides, thermal decomposition products of pigments, etc. in the oil to make the smell of palm oil more pure.

Method: Heat the decolored oil to 180℃-250℃, and introduce water vapor or nitrogen and other gases under high vacuum conditions to bring out the odorous substances and volatile impurities in the oil, thereby achieving the purpose of deodorization. After deodorization, the quality and flavor of palm oil have been significantly improved, and it can be used as edible oil or industrial raw materials.

When refining palm oil in Africa, you also need to pay attention to selecting appropriate equipment and processes to ensure the efficiency and stability of the refining process. At the same time, the operating parameters of each link must be strictly controlled to ensure that the quality of the product meets relevant standards and requirements. any need please email to info01@cnoilmachine.com