Dingsheng Machine’s Insights into Palm Oil Degumming Process for High-Quality Refining
Date:Oct 18th, 2024
Palm oil, extracted from the fruit of the oil palm tree, is one of the most widely consumed oils globally. As the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of vegetable oil, palm oil plays a key role in the international market, alongside soybean oil and rapeseed oil. Palm oil is primarily produced from the mesocarp (flesh) and kernel of the oil palm fruit, resulting in crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel oil (PKO), each with distinct applications in the food, chemical, and industrial sectors. Southeast Asia and Africa are the leading palm oil-producing regions, with Indonesia, Malaysia, and Nigeria being the top three producers. Meanwhile, China has become the world’s largest importer of palm oil, consuming approximately 6 million tons annually, accounting for 20% of the global market.
Palm oil refining is a critical process that removes impurities to meet the quality standards required for edible oil products. The process involves several stages: crude palm oil (CPO) → filtration → degumming → deacidification → decolorization → deodorization. Water is added to complete the degumming process, alkali is used for neutralization, or steam is applied for distillation to remove free fatty acids. Adsorbents like activated clay or activated carbon are employed for decolorization, and high-temperature, low-pressure conditions are used to deodorize the oil, eliminating low-boiling volatile compounds that could create smoke during cooking.
The Critical Degumming Process in Palm Oil Refining
The first essential step in palm oil refining is degumming and deacidification, which removes phospholipids and other sticky substances from crude palm oil. Phospholipids in crude palm oil are typically of two types: hydratable phospholipids, which can be removed by water degumming, and non-hydratable phospholipids, which require the use of phosphoric acid for degumming. The degumming process is fundamental to ensuring that the final product meets the required standards for purity and clarity.
1. Degumming Process
Step 1: Pre-heating – Crude palm oil is stored in a buffer tank and heated via a heat exchanger to reach the necessary temperature for degumming.
Step 2: Phosphoric Acid Addition – A specified amount of phosphoric acid is added to the heated oil. The quantity of phosphoric acid is determined by the gel concentration and the type of oil being processed. The phosphoric acid is stored in a small tank before being mixed with the oil.
Step 3: Degumming Reaction – The oil, acid, and processed hot water are mixed in a degumming tank. The oil and phospholipids undergo a separation process here. Once the mixture enters the separator, the colloidal particles are removed, and the waste liquid is separated from the oil.
Step 4: Separation and Drying – The degummed oil is then transferred to a vacuum drier, where the remaining moisture is removed until the oil reaches the desired concentration.
The degummed oil is now ready for further refining processes like deacidification, decolorization, and deodorization, ensuring it meets food-grade standards.
Why is Degumming Important in Palm Oil Refining?
Degumming is a crucial stage in refining as it removes impurities like phospholipids, which can affect the stability and clarity of the oil. Phospholipids, when left in the oil, can cause issues such as poor oil quality, increased refining costs, and reduced shelf life. Moreover, the degumming process also helps in reducing the oil’s gum content, which otherwise can lead to problems in later stages of processing, including filtration and decolorization.
Equipment for Palm Oil Refining at Dingsheng Machine
Dingsheng Machine provides state-of-the-art equipment for each stage of the palm oil refining process, including:
Degumming Systems
Filtration Units
Deacidification and Decolorization Equipment
Deodorizing Systems
The company’s equipment is designed to enhance operational efficiency, ensuring high oil yield and quality with minimal waste. Dingsheng Machine’s refining systems are tailored to meet the specific needs of palm oil processors, optimizing each step from degumming to final deodorization.
Palm Oil Refining and Its Role in the Global Market
The global demand for palm oil continues to grow due to its versatility and cost-effectiveness. The refining process, particularly degumming, is integral to producing a high-quality edible product that meets international standards. With its advanced technology and refined processes, Dingsheng Machine is a leading provider of palm oil refining solutions, helping businesses achieve excellence in oil processing.
For more information on our palm oil refining equipment and technologies, please contact Dingsheng Machine:
Website: www.dsoilpress.com
Phone: +86-159 3716 3029
Email: company@dingmachinery.com
Palm oil refining is a critical process that removes impurities to meet the quality standards required for edible oil products. The process involves several stages: crude palm oil (CPO) → filtration → degumming → deacidification → decolorization → deodorization. Water is added to complete the degumming process, alkali is used for neutralization, or steam is applied for distillation to remove free fatty acids. Adsorbents like activated clay or activated carbon are employed for decolorization, and high-temperature, low-pressure conditions are used to deodorize the oil, eliminating low-boiling volatile compounds that could create smoke during cooking.
The Critical Degumming Process in Palm Oil Refining
The first essential step in palm oil refining is degumming and deacidification, which removes phospholipids and other sticky substances from crude palm oil. Phospholipids in crude palm oil are typically of two types: hydratable phospholipids, which can be removed by water degumming, and non-hydratable phospholipids, which require the use of phosphoric acid for degumming. The degumming process is fundamental to ensuring that the final product meets the required standards for purity and clarity.
1. Degumming Process
Step 1: Pre-heating – Crude palm oil is stored in a buffer tank and heated via a heat exchanger to reach the necessary temperature for degumming.
Step 2: Phosphoric Acid Addition – A specified amount of phosphoric acid is added to the heated oil. The quantity of phosphoric acid is determined by the gel concentration and the type of oil being processed. The phosphoric acid is stored in a small tank before being mixed with the oil.
Step 3: Degumming Reaction – The oil, acid, and processed hot water are mixed in a degumming tank. The oil and phospholipids undergo a separation process here. Once the mixture enters the separator, the colloidal particles are removed, and the waste liquid is separated from the oil.
Step 4: Separation and Drying – The degummed oil is then transferred to a vacuum drier, where the remaining moisture is removed until the oil reaches the desired concentration.
The degummed oil is now ready for further refining processes like deacidification, decolorization, and deodorization, ensuring it meets food-grade standards.
Why is Degumming Important in Palm Oil Refining?
Degumming is a crucial stage in refining as it removes impurities like phospholipids, which can affect the stability and clarity of the oil. Phospholipids, when left in the oil, can cause issues such as poor oil quality, increased refining costs, and reduced shelf life. Moreover, the degumming process also helps in reducing the oil’s gum content, which otherwise can lead to problems in later stages of processing, including filtration and decolorization.
Equipment for Palm Oil Refining at Dingsheng Machine
Dingsheng Machine provides state-of-the-art equipment for each stage of the palm oil refining process, including:
Degumming Systems
Filtration Units
Deacidification and Decolorization Equipment
Deodorizing Systems
The company’s equipment is designed to enhance operational efficiency, ensuring high oil yield and quality with minimal waste. Dingsheng Machine’s refining systems are tailored to meet the specific needs of palm oil processors, optimizing each step from degumming to final deodorization.
Palm Oil Refining and Its Role in the Global Market
The global demand for palm oil continues to grow due to its versatility and cost-effectiveness. The refining process, particularly degumming, is integral to producing a high-quality edible product that meets international standards. With its advanced technology and refined processes, Dingsheng Machine is a leading provider of palm oil refining solutions, helping businesses achieve excellence in oil processing.
For more information on our palm oil refining equipment and technologies, please contact Dingsheng Machine:
Website: www.dsoilpress.com
Phone: +86-159 3716 3029
Email: company@dingmachinery.com
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