Physical refining
is the latest technique in the refining process. In this process the free
fatty acids, aldehydes and ketons, fatty alcohols, coloring compounds
etc which are naturally present in the oil are distilled, thus eliminating
the neutralization by caustic soda, where the by-product is soap stock,
which is very messy to handle. Physical Refining not only reduces refining
loss but it generates no effluent.
The advantages of this new system are:·
- Better yields
- High Quality of fatty acids as
by-products
- Good oil stability
- Lower cost of equipment
- Simplicity of operation
- Prevention of ecological problems
The first stage in the physical refining process is the complete removal
of all phosphatides, resins and metals out of the crude oil. In addition
to the well known degumming method applied to crude oils containing
low amounts of gums like palm, palm kernel and coconut oil, we have
developed our special wet degumming system to treat most of the crude
oils having a high content of gums such as soyabean, rapeseed, sunflower
and groundnut in order to suit them for the next stages of physical
refining i.e. bleaching and deacidification-deodorisation.
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