Vegetable Oil Refining via Polyol Solvent Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refining methods for vegetable oils face challenges in efficiently removing free fatty acids and mono- and di-glycerides, leading to energy-intensive processes, water absorption issues, and loss of natural antioxidants like tocopherols during high-temperature deodorization.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a polyol-containing solvent, such as glycerol, combined with an alkalizing agent to selectively extract free fatty acids from vegetable oils, forming a phase-separated system that allows for the recovery of a refined oil phase without exposing the oil to high temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional alkaline wash process is used to remove free fatty acids, then free fatty acid removal is achieved, but energy consumption increases and process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the washing system by using aqueous ammonia instead of conventional alkalis, and controls the water content within 5-50% to optimize the extraction efficiency of free fatty acids while reducing energy requirements for subsequent processing
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts free fatty acids from the vegetable oil phase into an aqueous ammonia phase through controlled water content, separating the harmful components from the oil without requiring high energy input washing steps
2Quantity of substance
If conventional deodorisation at high temperature is used, then free fatty acids are removed, but natural antioxidants like tocopherols are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an aqueous ammonia phase as an intermediary medium to extract free fatty acids at lower temperatures, replacing the direct high-temperature deodorisation process that causes antioxidant degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter from conventional high-temperature deodorisation to lower temperature processing by 50-80°C, preserving heat-sensitive natural antioxidants while still achieving effective free fatty acid removal through the aqueous ammonia extraction
3Quantity of substance
If high temperature deodorisation is used, then free fatty acids are removed, but trans fatty acids are formed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter to a lower range of 50-80°C during the extraction process, preventing the thermal isomerisation reactions that convert cis-fatty acids to harmful trans-fatty acids while maintaining effective free fatty acid removal
4Quantity of substance
If aqueous alkaline wash is used, then free fatty acids are converted to soaps, but water absorption occurs and process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the water content parameter to a specific range of 5-50% in the aqueous ammonia solution, controlling the extraction efficiency while minimizing excessive water absorption by the oil phase that would complicate the separation and drying processes
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 method enhances the yield of refined vegetable oil, reduces the formation of trans fatty acids, and preserves natural antioxidants, resulting in a higher-quality product with lower energy consumption and reduced environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the vegetable oil with a polyol-containing solvent and an alkalizing agent, thereby forming a first composition, exposing the first composition to conditions suitable for extracting free fatty acids to the polyol-containing solvent, forming a phase-separated system comprising a separate polyol-containing solvent phase and a separate oil phase
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a refined vegetable oil as well as a method of producing it. The method uses the combination of a polyol-containing solvent, such as glycerol, and an alkalizing agent for selectively extracting free fatty acids from the vegetable oil.