Soybean oil extraction technology and process
Different processing technologies should be used in soybean processing according to the requirements of the product. The choice of processing technology plays a vital role in determining the quality and quantity of the final product.
Solvent extraction
Solvent extraction is a widely used technology in the industrial production of soybean oil. This process involves the use of solvents, such as hexane, to extract oil from soybeans. The solvent is mixed with the soybean flakes, and the mixture is then heated to facilitate the extraction process. The extracted oil is then separated from the solvent by distillation or evaporation. Solvent extraction is a highly efficient process that can extract up to 99% of the oil from soybeans.
Cold pressing
Another soybean oil extraction technology is cold pressing. This process involves pressing the soybean flakes at low temperatures (below 60°C) to extract the oil. Cold pressing is a gentle process that preserves the natural flavor and nutrients of the soybeans. Cold-pressed soybean oil is often used in specialty food products, such as salad dressings and marinades.
Soybean cold pressing process:
Soybean – Cleaning – Crushing – Softening – Flaking – Conditioning – Pressing – Bean Cake.
The softening temperature in the process of cold pressing is generally not higher than 45°C to 50°C. The soften moisture is 10% ~ 12% and the thickness of flaking is 0.4mm to 0.5mm. The conditioning temperature before pressing should not be higher than 70°C. If ZX10 type soybean oil press is used for cold pressing of whole seed, flaking is not needed. Traditional soybean pretreatment extraction process is simple. The advanced soybean pretreatment extraction process can adopt peeling, extrusion, heat-moisture treatment and other technologies, and combined with the drying process before peeling of soybean for conditioning. The softening process can be omitted, which simplifies the pretreatment process.
Traditional soybean oil production process:
Soybean – Cleaning – Crushing – Softening – Flaking – Drying – Extraction – Refining.
Soybean pretreatment process
The pretreatment process of oilseeds before extraction can be divided into two kinds: one is pre-pressing extraction process, the other is single extraction process.
General soybean peeling pretreatment process:
Soybean – Cleaning – Drying – Crushing – Peeling – Softening – Flaking – Extraction – Refining.
Soybean extrusion pretreatment process:
Soybean – Cleaning – Drying – Crushing – Softening – Flaking – Extrusion – Drying – Extraction – Refining.
Soybean pretreatment extraction process should also be combined with soybean protein production, comprehensive utilization of soybean and the extraction of active ingredients of soybean.
The choice of soybean oil extraction technology depends on the intended use of the final product. Solvent extraction is preferred for industrial purposes due to its high efficiency, while cold pressing is used in individual cases where the preservation of natural flavor and nutrients is paramount.
The choice of processing technology should be based on the requirements of the final product. Solvent extraction and cold pressing are two commonly used technologies that offer different benefits depending on the intended use of the soybean oil.