Short-Path Evaporation for MOSH MOAH Removal in Vegetable Oils
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refining processes for vegetable oils are ineffective in removing Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH) and Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH), which are contaminants that can be harmful to human health and are present in crude oils due to contamination from various sources.
Innovation Solution
A process involving short-path evaporation of vegetable oils, specifically palm-based and cocoa butter-based oils, at pressures below 1 mbar and temperatures between 235°C and 290°C, with a feed rate per unit area of evaporator surface ranging from 35 to 102 kg/h·m², to reduce MOSH and MOAH content by at least 50% while maintaining a yield of over 80%.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional refining processes (degumming, bleaching, deodorizing) are used, then the oil refining is completed, but MOSH and MOAH content cannot be effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by operating the evaporation process at specific temperature (235-290°C) and pressure (below 1 mbar) conditions, which are different from conventional refining parameters. These controlled parameter changes enable the selective removal of MOSH and MOAH while preserving oil quality, directly resolving the contradiction between harmful factor reduction and process reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions (evaporation) to separate MOSH and MOAH from the vegetable oil. By heating the oil to specific temperatures and maintaining vacuum pressure, the hydrocarbons undergo phase change from liquid to vapor, enabling their removal from the oil phase. This phase transition mechanism provides reliable and effective reduction of harmful contaminants.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If short-path evaporation is performed at high temperature and low pressure, then MOSH and MOAH content is reduced by at least 50%, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the balance between energy consumption and contaminant removal by controlling temperature (235-290°C) and pressure (below 1 mbar) parameters. These optimized parameters enable effective MOSH and MOAH removal while minimizing excessive energy input, resolving the contradiction between harmful factor reduction and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a vacuum environment (below 1 mbar) during evaporation, which acts as an inert atmosphere that facilitates the removal of volatile hydrocarbons at lower temperatures. This vacuum condition reduces the energy required for evaporation compared to atmospheric pressure conditions, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective contaminant removal.
3Productivity
If short-path evaporation is performed with high feed rate, then productivity increases, but the reduction efficiency of MOSH and MOAH decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes an optimal feed rate range (35-102 kg/h·m²) that balances productivity with contaminant removal efficiency. By controlling the feed rate within this specific range and maintaining appropriate temperature and pressure parameters, the system achieves both high productivity and effective MOSH/MOAH reduction, resolving the contradiction between these two objectives.
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
This process effectively reduces the content of MOSH and MOAH in vegetable oils by at least 50% and achieves a yield of over 80%, improving the safety and quality of the oils by removing harmful contaminants.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting a vegetable oil to a short-path evaporation, wherein the short-path evaporation is performed at a pressure of below 1 mbar, at an evaporation temperature in a range of from 235 and 290° C.
Implementation Method 2
short-path evaporation is performed at a pressure of below 1 mbar
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for reducing the content of MOSH and/or MOAH from a vegetable oil selected from the group consisting of palm-based oil, cocoa butter-based oil and any mixtures thereof, and wherein the process is comprising the step of subjecting a vegetable oil to a short-path evaporation, wherein the short-path evaporation is performed at a pressure of below 1 mbar, at an evaporator temperature in a range of from 235 and 290° C., and with a feed rate per unit area of evaporator surface of the short-path evaporation equipment in a range from 35 to 102 kg/h·m2, and thus obtaining a retentate vegetable oil. Present invention further relates to use of short-path evaporation for reducing content of MOSH and/or MOAH from vegetable oil.