Palm oil processing is a complex and highly technical field that involves multiple steps from raw material pre - treatment to the final quality control of refined oil. This article comprehensively analyzes the key technologies of the entire palm oil processing flow, aiming to provide practical guidance for technicians and managers in the industry.
The pre - treatment of palm fruit is the first step in the processing. This includes sorting and cleaning to remove impurities such as dirt, stones, and leaves. Proper pre - treatment can improve the efficiency of subsequent processes. For example, in a large - scale palm oil processing plant in Malaysia, by improving the pre - treatment process, the impurity rate of raw materials was reduced from 5% to 2%, which significantly improved the overall processing efficiency.
After pre - treatment, the palm fruit bunches are crushed. The size of the crushed particles is an important parameter. Generally, the particle size should be controlled within 5 - 10 mm. Smaller particles can increase the contact area during the subsequent pressing process, thereby improving the oil extraction rate. In some advanced processing plants, the use of high - efficiency crushers can increase the oil extraction rate by about 3 - 5% compared with traditional crushers.
Pressing is a crucial step in obtaining palm oil. The choice of pressing equipment and process parameters has a significant impact on the oil extraction efficiency. For instance, screw presses are widely used due to their high efficiency. The pressure during the pressing process is usually controlled between 20 - 30 MPa. By optimizing the pressing process, some plants have increased the oil extraction efficiency from 90% to 93%.
After pressing, the mixture of oil, water, and solids needs to be separated. Centrifugal separators are commonly used for this purpose. The separation efficiency depends on factors such as the rotational speed of the centrifuge and the temperature of the mixture. By adjusting these parameters, the separation efficiency can be improved, and the purity of the crude oil can be increased.
Refining is to improve the quality of the crude oil. It includes degumming, deacidification, decolorization, and deodorization processes. Each process has specific technical requirements. For example, in the deacidification process, the use of appropriate alkalis and the control of reaction time and temperature can effectively reduce the acid value of the oil. In some cases, the acid value of the oil can be reduced from 5 mg KOH/g to less than 0.5 mg KOH/g through refined processes.
When selecting equipment for palm oil processing, factors such as production capacity, energy consumption, and reliability should be considered. For example, when choosing a crusher, a high - capacity and low - energy - consumption model should be selected according to the actual production scale. Process parameters such as temperature, pressure, and flow rate need to be adjusted according to different raw materials and equipment. Automation control systems can be used to accurately adjust these parameters, improving production efficiency and product quality.
Energy consumption is a major cost in palm oil processing. Therefore, energy - saving solutions are of great significance. For example, in the refining process, waste heat recovery systems can be installed to reuse the heat generated during the process. Some plants have reduced energy consumption by about 20% through the application of energy - saving technologies. In addition, improving the automation level of the production line can also reduce labor costs and improve production efficiency.
Regular equipment maintenance is essential to ensure the stable operation of the production line. This includes cleaning, lubrication, and inspection of key components. In case of equipment failures, a timely and effective troubleshooting mechanism should be established. For example, if a screw press malfunctions, the cause may be a blockage or a mechanical failure. By regularly checking and maintaining the equipment, the probability of failures can be reduced, and the service life of the equipment can be extended.
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