Solvent Recycling With MCT Absorption for Low-MOSH Oilseed Meal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to effectively reduce mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) in organic materials such as oilseed flakes and meals, which are contaminants in food and feed products, posing health risks.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil in an absorber column to recycle solvent, extract oil from organic materials, and recover solvent-depleted materials with reduced MOSH content, achieving less than 6 wt.% oil and 10 ppm MOSH.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If solvent extraction is used to remove oil from organic material, then oil extraction efficiency is improved, but MOSH contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an absorber column containing selective adsorbent material as an intermediary component between the extractor and the material handling system. This absorber column captures MOSH contaminants from the recycled solvent without interfering with the oil extraction process, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining extraction efficiency and preventing contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a solvent recovery system where solvent is recycled from the extraction process through an absorber column that removes MOSH contaminants. This allows the solvent to be reused multiple times while preventing contamination accumulation, thus maintaining both extraction efficiency and product purity over extended operation periods.
2Loss of energy
If solvent is recycled from extraction process, then process cost is reduced, but MOSH contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The absorber column acts as an intermediary treatment step in the solvent recovery pathway. It selectively adsorbs MOSH contaminants from the recycled solvent stream, enabling the solvent to be reused without introducing contamination to subsequent extraction cycles, thus resolving the contradiction between solvent recycling and contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the solvent by passing it through an absorber column that selectively removes MOSH contaminants. This parameter modification (reduction of contaminant concentration) allows the solvent to maintain its extraction effectiveness while being reused, preventing contamination accumulation in the organic material.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If absorber column with MCT oil is used to recycle solvent, then MOSH reduction is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The absorber column containing MCT oil serves as a specialized intermediary device that selectively interacts with MOSH contaminants. The MCT oil acts as a mediator that preferentially binds MOSH compounds through solubility differences, removing them from the recycled solvent stream without affecting the main extraction process architecture significantly.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method significantly reduces MOSH contamination in organic materials to safe levels, ensuring the production of high-quality food and feed products.
Implementation Method 1
at least part of the solvent has been recycled from an absorber column containing a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil
Implementation Method 2
the solvent has been recycled from an absorber column containing a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil
Implementation Method 3
Extracting oil from the oil-containing organic material
Implementation Method 4
Bringing oil-containing organic material in contact with solvent; Extracting oil from the oil-containing organic material
Implementation Method 5
Recovering solvent from the oil-depleted organic material
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for reducing the content of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) in organic material such as oilseed meal and flakes. It further relates to the oil-depleted organic material obtained by the method and its use in feed and food products.