A processing technology of desolventized and dephenolated cottonseed protein
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202610878078.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-06-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-28
AI Technical Summary
[0006]本发明为解决现有棉籽回收利用的技术问题，提供了一种脱溶脱酚棉籽蛋白加工工艺
[0026] Degreasing and phenol removal are completed simultaneously in a single leaching step, eliminating the need for a separate phenol removal leaching process and a corresponding solvent recovery system, thus reducing equipment investment and operational complexity.
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Figure CN122642491A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of cottonseed processing technology, and in particular to a desolventized and dephenolized cottonseed protein processing technology. Background Technology
[0002] Cotton is an important dual-purpose crop for both fiber and oilseed production globally. my country is one of the world's largest cotton producers, with an annual cottonseed output exceeding 10 million tons. Cottonseed is the largest byproduct of cotton production, yielding approximately 1.5-1.6 tons of cottonseed for every ton of lint produced.
[0003] Cottonseed contains approximately 18-24% oil and 20-28% protein (on a dry basis). The amino acid composition of cottonseed protein closely matches the ideal protein recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and it is rich in essential amino acids such as lysine and threonine, giving it high nutritional value.
[0004] However, cottonseed naturally contains a class of toxic polyphenols—gossypol, chemically known as 1,1',6,6',7,7'-hexahydroxy-5,5'-diisopropyl-3,3'-dimethyl-[2,2'-bisnaphthyl]-8,8'-dicarboxaldehyde. The free gossypol content is typically 0.5-1.5% (on a dry basis). Free gossypol is significantly toxic to humans and monogastric animals; long-term intake can lead to reproductive toxicity, cardiotoxicity, and immunotoxicity, severely limiting the direct application of cottonseed protein in the food and feed industries.
[0005] Therefore, to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, a new technical solution is needed. Specifically, a desolventizing and dephenolizing cottonseed protein processing technology is required. Summary of the Invention
[0006] This invention provides a desolventized and dephenolized cottonseed protein processing technology to solve the existing technical problems in cottonseed recycling.
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the following technical solution is provided: a desolventizing and dephenolizing cottonseed protein processing technology, comprising the following steps:
[0008] S1. Cottonseed Pretreatment
[0009] Cottonseeds are hulled and separated to obtain cotton kernels, which are then rolled into cottonseed flakes.
[0010] S2. Cottonseed oil removal treatment
[0011] The cottonseed germ is fed into an extractor and hexane is added countercurrently to ensure full contact between the hexane and the cottonseed germ, thereby extracting the cottonseed oil and obtaining defatted cottonseed wet meal.
[0012] S3. Cottonseed dephenolization treatment
[0013] Methanol was continuously added to the same extractor to remove gossypol from the cottonseed germ, resulting in wet cottonseed protein meal.
[0014] S4. Desolventize the wet meal.
[0015] S41. The wet meal is rapidly desolventized by passing it through a No. 1 desolventizing tower. The temperature of the No. 1 desolventizing tower is 105-115℃ and the vacuum degree is -0.03 to -0.05 MPa. The No. 1 desolventizing tower is a distillation desolventizing tower.
[0016] S42. The wet meal is subjected to deep desolventizing treatment through a No. 2 desolventizing tower. The temperature of the No. 2 desolventizing tower is 80-105℃ and the vacuum degree is -0.07 to -0.09 MPa. The No. 2 desolventizing tower is a drying tower.
[0017] S5. Gradually dry the wet meal.
[0018] S51. The wet meal is passed through the first set of drying equipment, which includes two dryers connected in series, and the operating temperature of the two dryers connected in series is 60°C.
[0019] S52. The wet meal is passed through a second set of drying equipment, which includes two dryers connected in series, with the two dryers operating at temperatures of 85-90℃ respectively.
[0020] S53. The wet meal is passed through a third set of drying equipment, which includes a dryer, and the temperature of the third set of drying equipment is 110°C to obtain cottonseed protein.
[0021] Preferably, the total time for the wet meal to pass through the No. 1 and No. 2 desolventizing towers in step S4 is 50-70 minutes.
[0022] Preferably, in step S51, the drying time of the wet meal in the first set of drying equipment is 20 minutes.
[0023] Preferably, in step S52, the drying time of the wet meal in the second set of drying equipment is 20 minutes.
[0024] Preferably, in step S53, the drying time of the wet meal in the third set of drying equipment is 15-20 minutes.
[0025] Preferably, this desolventized and dephenolized cottonseed protein processing technology further includes an extractor, a first desolventizing tower, a second desolventizing tower, a first set of drying equipment, a second set of drying equipment, a third set of drying equipment, and a condenser. The extractor, the first desolventizing tower, the second desolventizing tower, the first set of drying equipment, the second set of drying equipment, and the third set of drying equipment are connected in series. The input end of the condenser is connected to the extractor, the first desolventizing tower, the second desolventizing tower, the first set of drying equipment, the second set of drying equipment, and the third set of drying equipment, respectively. The condenser is also connected to a storage tank and a separation device. The separation device includes a first conveying pipe and a second conveying pipe, which are respectively connected to the extractor. Beneficial effects
[0026] Degreasing and phenol removal are completed simultaneously in a single leaching step, eliminating the need for a separate phenol removal leaching process and a corresponding solvent recovery system, thus reducing equipment investment and operational complexity.
[0027] By introducing a dual-tower desolventizing process that combines a desolventizing tower and a drying tower, the desolventizing and drying functions are rationally allocated. Under the premise of ensuring complete solvent removal, the maximum desolventizing temperature is reduced from 120-140℃ in the traditional process to 105-115℃ in the desolventizing tower, and the drying tower only needs 80-105℃. This significantly reduces protein thermal denaturation and improves product solubility and functionality.
[0028] After solvent removal, the material is dried by three sets of five drying machines, with the temperature gradually increased. The highest drying temperature is 110℃, which is significantly lower than the traditional drying temperature of 120℃, thus reducing the thermal deformation of cottonseed protein. Attached Figure Description
[0029] Figure 1 This is a process flow diagram of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known structures and technologies are omitted in the following description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concept of the invention.
[0031] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on or indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to the other element.
[0032] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of this invention is in use. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified. "Several" means one or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0033] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.
[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, a desolventized and dephenolized cottonseed protein processing technology includes the following steps:
[0035] S1. Cottonseed Pretreatment
[0036] Cottonseeds are hulled and separated into kernels to obtain cottonseeds; the cottonseeds are then rolled into cottonseed flakes with a thickness of 0.2-0.3 mm to ensure that the subsequent leaching process can successfully and fully extract cottonseed oil and gossypol.
[0037] S2. Cottonseed oil removal treatment.
[0038] The cottonseed germ is fed into an extractor and hexane is added countercurrently to ensure full contact between the hexane and the cottonseed germ, thereby extracting the cottonseed oil and obtaining defatted cottonseed wet meal.
[0039] In this step, cottonseed oil is extracted from cottonseed using n-hexane. The cottonseed oil and n-hexane form a mixed solution, which is then discharged from the extractor for subsequent cottonseed oil processing steps.
[0040] S3. Cottonseed dephenolization treatment
[0041] Methanol was continuously added to the same extractor to extract gossypol from the cottonseed wafers, resulting in wet cottonseed protein meal.
[0042] In this step, after leaching cottonseed oil with n-hexane, a large amount of gossypol remains in the cottonseed flakes. Gossypol is then leached with methanol, resulting in a mixture of gossypol and methanol in the solution. Simultaneously, n-hexane residue remains on the cottonseed. The cottonseed protein is first treated to remove cottonseed oil, followed by gossypol removal to prevent incomplete leaching of gossypol and potential food toxicity.
[0043] S4. Desolventize the wet meal.
[0044] S41. The wet meal is rapidly desolventized by passing it through the No. 1 desolventizing tower. The temperature of the No. 1 desolventizing tower is 105-115℃ and the vacuum degree is -0.03 to -0.05 MPa.
[0045] The No. 1 desolventizing tower operates at a temperature of 105-115℃. The wet meal contains residual hexane and methanol. Under normal pressure, methanol has a boiling point of approximately 65℃, and hexane has a boiling point of approximately 69℃. At 105℃, a large amount of hexane and methanol on the surface of the wet meal evaporates, resulting in preliminary desolventizing. The No. 1 desolventizing tower is an evaporative desolventizing tower.
[0046] S42. The wet meal is subjected to deep desolventizing treatment through the No. 2 desolventizing tower. The temperature of the No. 2 desolventizing tower is 80-105℃ and the vacuum degree is -0.07~-0.09 MPa.
[0047] The No. 2 desolventizing tower performs deep removal of residual n-hexane and methanol from the surface of the wet meal. The No. 2 desolventizing tower is also a drying tower, with a drying temperature of 80-105℃. The total time for the wet meal to pass through the No. 1 and No. 2 desolventizing towers is 50-70 minutes.
[0048] S5. Gradually dry the wet meal.
[0049] S51. The wet meal is passed through the first set of drying equipment, which includes two dryers connected in series. The operating temperature of the two dryers connected in series is 60°C and the drying time is 20 minutes.
[0050] S52. Pass the wet meal through the second set of drying equipment, which includes two dryers connected in series. The operating temperature of the two dryers connected in series is 85-90℃ and the drying time is 20min.
[0051] S53. The wet meal is passed through a third set of drying equipment, which includes a dryer. The temperature of the third set of drying equipment is 110°C to obtain cottonseed protein. The drying time is 15-20 minutes.
[0052] This desolventizing and dephenolizing cottonseed protein processing technology also includes an extractor, a first desolventizing tower, a second desolventizing tower, a first set of drying equipment, a second set of drying equipment, a third set of drying equipment, and a condenser. The extractor, the first desolventizing tower, the second desolventizing tower, the first set of drying equipment, the second set of drying equipment, and the third set of drying equipment are connected in series. The input end of the condenser is connected to the extractor, the first desolventizing tower, the second desolventizing tower, the first set of drying equipment, the second set of drying equipment, and the third set of drying equipment, respectively. The condenser is also connected to a storage tank and a separation device. The separation device includes a first conveying pipe and a second conveying pipe, which are respectively connected to the extractor.
[0053] The extractor includes a material inlet, a hexane inlet and outlet, a first outlet for cottonseed oil and hexane, a methanol inlet and outlet, and a wet meal outlet.
[0054] The material sequentially passes through an extractor, a first desolventizing tower, a second desolventizing tower, a first set of drying equipment, a second set of drying equipment, and a third set of drying equipment. After being conveyed to the extractor, the material contacts hexane, which extracts the cottonseed oil. The extracted cottonseed oil and hexane form a mixture, which is discharged from the extractor for subsequent cottonseed oil processing. The material continues to move forward in the extractor, contacting methanol, which extracts gossypol, finally yielding wet cottonseed protein meal free of cottonseed oil and gossypol. The wet cottonseed protein meal then sequentially passes through the first and second desolventizing towers to remove hexane and methanol, and the separated solvents are recovered via a condenser. The first, second, and third sets of drying equipment not only dry the cottonseed protein but also further dry and remove residual hexane and methanol, with the separated solvents also recovered via a condenser. Hexane and methanol in the condenser are separated from each other and then transported back to the leachate tank through the No. 1 and No. 2 conveying pipes for subsequent processing.
[0055] This invention utilizes a single extractor to remove cottonseed oil and phenol from cottonseed, avoiding cumbersome equipment and recycling systems. In the solvent removal process, a combination of a distillation tower and a drying tower significantly recovers hexane and methanol from the surface of the wet cottonseed protein meal. This recovery is further achieved in three drying units, ultimately yielding desolventized and phenol-free cottonseed protein. The cottonseed protein is then pulverized and packaged to obtain the finished product. The process of first defatting and then removing phenol ensures thorough phenol removal. During the desolventizing process, multiple steps are combined, reducing the operating temperature of traditional desolventizing processes, minimizing damage to the cottonseed protein, and ensuring complete desolventizing.
[0056] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical solutions also fall within the scope of the present invention, and the patent protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the claims.
Claims
1. A process for processing cottonseed protein by desolventizing and dephenolizing, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Cottonseed Pretreatment Cottonseeds are hulled and separated into kernels to obtain cottonseeds, which are then rolled into cottonseed flakes. S2. Cottonseed oil removal treatment The cottonseed germ is fed into an extractor and hexane is added in a countercurrent manner to ensure that the hexane comes into full contact with the cottonseed germ, thereby extracting the cottonseed oil and obtaining defatted cottonseed wet meal. S3. Cottonseed dephenolization treatment Methanol was continuously added to the same extractor to extract gossypol from the cottonseed germ, resulting in wet cottonseed protein meal. S4. Desolventize the wet meal. S41. The wet meal is rapidly desolventized by passing it through a No. 1 desolventizing tower. The temperature of the No. 1 desolventizing tower is 105-115℃ and the vacuum degree is -0.03 to -0.05 MPa. S42. The wet meal is subjected to deep desolventizing treatment through the No. 2 desolventizing tower. The temperature of the No. 2 desolventizing tower is 80-105℃ and the vacuum degree is -0.07 to -0.09 MPa. S5. Gradually dry the wet meal. S51. The wet meal is passed through the first set of drying equipment, which includes two dryers connected in series, and the two dryers connected in series operate at 60°C. S52. The wet meal is passed through a second set of drying equipment, which includes two dryers connected in series, and the operating temperatures of the two dryers connected in series are 85-90℃ respectively. S53. The wet meal is passed through a third set of drying equipment, which includes a dryer, and the temperature of the third set of drying equipment is 110°C to obtain cottonseed protein.
2. The cottonseed protein desolventizing and dephenolizing processing technology as described in claim 1, characterized in that: In step S4, the total time for the wet meal to pass through the No. 1 and No. 2 desolventizing towers is 50-70 minutes.
3. The cottonseed protein desolventizing and dephenolizing processing technology as described in claim 1, characterized in that: In step S51, the drying time of the wet meal in the first set of drying equipment is 20 minutes.
4. The cottonseed protein desolventizing and dephenolizing processing technology as described in claim 1, characterized in that: In step S52, the drying time of the wet meal in the second set of drying equipment is 20 minutes.
5. The cottonseed protein desolventizing and dephenolizing processing technology as described in claim 1, characterized in that: In step S53, the drying time of the wet meal in the third set of drying equipment is 15-20 minutes.
6. The cottonseed protein desolventizing and dephenolizing processing technology as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The system includes a leaching unit, a first desolvation tower, a second desolvation tower, a first set of drying equipment, a second set of drying equipment, a third set of drying equipment, and a condenser. The leaching unit, the first set of desolvation tower, the second set of desolvation tower, the first set of drying equipment, the second set of drying equipment, and the third set of drying equipment are connected in series. The input end of the condenser is connected to the leaching unit, the first set of desolvation tower, the second set of desolvation tower, the first set of drying equipment, the second set of drying equipment, and the third set of drying equipment, respectively. The condenser is also connected to a storage tank and a separation device. The separation device includes a first conveying pipe and a second conveying pipe, which are respectively connected to the leaching unit.