Degumming

Yield Improvement and Reduction in Chemicals through Patent Pending Compression/Decompression Jet Atomization

Crude vegetable oils contain phosphatides or so-called gums that have to be removed during the first step in the refining process for two main reasons: they are responsible for high refining losses due to their emulsifying properties; and they decompose, darkening the oil due to their thermal instability.

Oils that are rich in phosphatides, especially in non-hydratable phosphatides (NHP) such as soybean and canola oil, are refined by degumming with water and phosphoric acid followed by neutralization with alkali and separation with a centrifuge. Each refining step results in a loss of oil yield proportional to the amount of impurities, such as phosphatides and free fatty acids present, especially due to the formation of emulsions.

The power of the patent pending compression/decompression jet atomization process has a positive impact on removing phosphatides and allows a reduction in acid consumption, which results in a reduction in alkali and, consequently a reduction in yield loss.

Special Degumming Acid Conditioning/Neutralization

Acid Degumming

Water Degumming

Anticipated Improvements

• Improves oil yield
• Reduces:
  • caustic usage
  • phosphoric acid consumption
  • silica usage
• Increases filter cycle times​