Comprehensive guide to palm oil extraction and refining processes

The comprehensive guide to palm oil extraction and refining processes involve the reception of fresh fruit bunches from the plantations, sterilizing and threshing of the bunches to free the palm fruit, mashing the fruit and pressing out the crude palm oil, purifying and drying the crude palm oil. At last, the filtered crude palm oil can be sold or be sent to refining plant for the further process. Here is the comprehensive guide to palm oil extraction and refining processes.

Palm oil extraction process

First of all, put the fresh palm fruit bunches in the fruit cage, and put the fruit cage in the sterilization tank with a row crane for sterilization. The function of palm fruit sterilization: on the one hand, it increases the humidity of the fruit, which is beneficial to the separation of the fruit from the fruit bunch. On the other hand, it destroys the activity of the fat-decomposing enzyme and slows down rancidity, so as to prevent the content of free fatty acids (FFA) from increasing, causing the oil molecules to condense on the surface and destroy the interior, the structure is easy to press, and is conducive to the subsequent separation of pulp and core.

Secondly, The sterilized palm fruit bunches are de-fruited in a drum type thresher. Realize fruit drop through physical collision. The obtained palm fruit is transported by auger and bucket elevator into the digesting tank for digester. Digesting the fruit is to better squeeze out the oil. Part of the oil produced during the digesting process will be transported to the temporary storage tank. Then press the digested palm fruit in the palm oil presser. After the palm oil extraction, you will get crude palm oil and mixture of fiber and nut.

The next step is to filter the crude palm oil. The vibrating screen filters large fibers, the clarification tank filters heavy impurities and silt, and the plate filter filters fine fibers and absorbs water.

Palm oil extraction process

Palm oil refining process

Last, palm oil refining meets the highest industry standards. Whether you're focused on edible oil production or specialized industrial applications, refining ensures a product free from impurities, with enhanced stability and color.

Degumming is the first step in palm oil refining, crude palm oil contains colloidal impurities, which will affect the quality and stability of the oil, and also affect the subsequent stages of palm oil refining, which need to be removed by degumming. Under normal circumstances, the phosphoric acid solution is added to the crude palm oil to condense the colloidal impurities into a group, and the colloidal impurities can be removed after settlement and separation.

Deacidification is to remove free fatty acids in crude palm oil to avoid oil rancidity and improve the stability of palm oil. Intermittent palm oil refining equipment generally uses chemical deacidification to remove free fatty acids, that is, adding lye to crude palm oil to neutralize it with free fatty acids, so as to remove free fatty acids.

Next is the decolorization process, where the oil is treated to remove unwanted pigments, ensuring a clear and attractive product. Compact bleaching units use high-efficiency filters and bleaching agents to deliver consistent color and quality. These units are easy to operate and require minimal maintenance, making them ideal for small-scale operations.

Palm oil refining process

The last step of refining process is deodorization, which eliminates odors and flavors for a neutral and versatile oil. Deodorization is to pass direct steam into the crude palm oil, and take the odor away by using the difference in volatility between the oil and the odor substance. Small-scale deodorizers use controlled heating and vacuum systems to remove volatile compounds, resulting in a mild, odorless oil perfect for culinary or cosmetic uses.

This is a comprehensive guide to palm oil extraction and refining processes. Investing in Henan Glory palm oil extraction and refining equipment is a smart choice for producers who want top-quality oil of a large palm oil plant. Designed for efficiency, ease of operation, and high-quality output, our equipment will elevate your production process. Contact us today to learn more palm oil extraction and refining processes!