UNIT OF RAFINE
Refining process is applied with the aim of giving the oil edible properties by removing the non-oil impurities from the oil in a way that will cause the least damage to the triglyceride structure of the oil and tocopherols. In general, crude oil contains free fatty acids (FFA), gum (phospholipids), peroxide and oxidation products, metals and unsaponifiables, in addition to triglycerin.
The basic processes applied to the oil within the scope of refining are given as degumming, neutralization, bleaching, winterization and deodorization.
Degumming
They include crude oils, phospholipids, and resins. Degumming is the process of separating the oil from these substances.
Sticky substances should be removed for the following reasons;
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They can cause oil loss especially in the neutralization stage,
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They form dark colored substances during deodorization at high
Neutralization
It is the process of forming soap as a result of the reaction of fatty acids in crude oil with alkalis and removing the resulting soap (soapstock) from the oil by separation.
The neutralization process provides the removal of free fatty acids from the oil, as well as the removal of colorants and phosphates.
Bleaching is a process that removes coloring matter from oils. The pigments giving color to the oil are dispersed in the oil. They are taken from fat by adsorption. The most important adsorption agent is bleaching earth.
The bleaching process takes place in three stages;
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According to the desired capacity, the oil is mixed with bleaching earth under controlled temperature for a certain period of time,
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Heated under vacuum with spraying steam to ensure proper mixing,
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Finally, the oil passed through the leaf filters is sent to the winterizing part by polishing
Winterization
Winterization is the process of removing the substances that cause turbidity in liquid oils by crystallization. It is observed that triglycerides with a high melting point accumulate on the refined oil in cold weather. Edible triglycerides are winterized for three reasons;
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To remove waxes and non- triglyceride compounds,
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To remove naturally occurring high melting point triglycerides,
The oils are left to crystallize at low temperature with slow mixing and the formed crystals are removed from the oil by filtration. It is important that large crystals form during the process.
Deodorization
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It is a process based on the purification of particles that cause undesirable odor and aroma in solid and liquid oils. In this process, water and steam are injected into the oil at high temperature and under vacuum. Fragrance substances, free fatty acids, small amounts of triglycerides, aldehydes and ketones are transported by steam. Free fatty acids decrease to the level of 0.01- 0.03%. The purposes of the deodorization process can be listed as follows;
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Removal of volatile taste and odor substances,
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Removal of free fatty acids remaining in the oil,
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In particular, the carotenoids in the oil are oxidized at high temperature to turn them into colorless components, thus enabling the oil to be lightened,
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Obtaining a more stable product by creating chemical changes in the oil
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What the PAR TEK provide with Deodorizing Column;
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High odor removal with strong vacuum system, Low steam consumption,
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High heat recovery by colliding the oil entering and leaving oil
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Space saving with single column type,
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Comfortable stripping process by increasing the mobility of the oil with mammoth pump systems, Minimum fat loss, • The oils are more active with direct steam and the odor stripping process is more efficient,
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Easy processing with an automation