Difference between physical and chemical refining of palm oil
Palm oil is extracted from the pulp of oil palm, and is one of the most widely used cooking oils. Palm oil is composed mainly of glycerides and, like other oils in their crude form may consist of small and variable portions of non-glyceride components as well. In order to render palm oil to the edible form, some of these non-glycerides need to be either removed or to reduced to an acceptable level. Therefore, the purpose of refining palm oil is to convert the crude palm oil to quality edible oil by removing objectionable impurities to the desired levels in the most efficient manner. There are many refining methods for palm oil, among which chemical and physical methods are widely used.
Physical Refining of Palm Oil
Palm oil productionPhysical refining is also known as steam refining. In degumming process, it utilizes citric acid or food grade phosphoric acid to remove natural gums in the form of phosphatides. Then, in bleaching process, under vacuum, Fuller’s Earth is used to remove colouring matters and adsorb any metal ions. The deacidification and deodorization process is under high temperature and low pressure. By used of live steam, the FFA is stripped of. The steam is then recovered together with the entrained oil is as palm fatty acid distillate. The off-flavors and odours can also be removed from the crude palm oil in the steam distillation process. Before polishing, the refined oil needs to be cooled to 55°C.
Chemical Refining of Palm Oil
In the chemical refining process, the FFA is removed by neutralisation with caustic soda (sodium hydroxide). This chemical reaction produces neutralised CPO and a soap stock. By used of a high-speed separator, the soap stock can be separated from the oil. Then, through earth bleaching, colour pigments and metal ions are removed from the neutralised oil. Then, in deodorization process, odoriferous matters such as ketones and aldehydes are removed by steam distillation under vacuum.
When refining crude palm oil with high carotene content, high initial FFA (up to 5%) and low phosphatides, chemical palm oil refinery plant is suggested, considering operating costs and refining losses.
Our palm oil refinery plant is characterized mainly by simple design, operator friendliness, low power consumption, and high palm oil yield capacity. Our customers are very satisfied with them. If you are looking for the palm oil refinery plant, please feel free to contact us now!
Successful Projects of Edible Oil Refinery Plant
The following is some onsite photos of our edible oil refining projects. Feel free to contact us if you are interested!
