Soybean Oil Extraction Plant, Soybean Oil Machinery

The extraction process for soybean oil production can be classified into two main types: mechanical pressing and solvent extraction. Soybeans have a relatively low oil content, and solvent extraction using hexane typically yields around 19%, while mechanical pressing produces an oil yield of approximately 13%. For those looking to extract virgin soybean oil at home, cold pressing using small oil pressers is a viable option. However, under normal circumstances, solvent extraction is the preferred method due to its ability to produce high-quality oil at a lower production cost. This method utilizes hexane to extract the oil from the soybeans, resulting in a product of excellent quality that is cost-effective to produce.

Flow chart of soybean oil processing:

Soybean– cleaning– crushing– softening– flaking– extracting– evaporating– stripping– crude soybean oil (crude oil)– filtering– hydrating (degumming)– alkali refining (deacidification)– bleaching– deodorization– soybean oil

Main points of processing technology of soybean oil extraction plant:

1. Flaking is a critical step in the pretreatment of soybean oil extraction plant, as it is closely related to the oil yield and quality. The key to successful flaking lies in the operation of the roller mill. To ensure the quality of flakes, it is essential to strictly control the moisture and temperature of materials before flaking. The use of a softening box is preferred to avoid excessive moisture content and temperature loss after softening.

The performance of the roller mill should be checked carefully before starting. If the flakes are found to be uneven on both ends or oil plants without flaking are mixed with flakes, the operator should stop and check the roller mill. Adjusting the rolling clearance (balanced adjustment on both sides should be made and avoid being too tight) is necessary. Checking whether the scraper plate is close to the surface of the roller to prevent sticking is also important. Paying attention to the flowing uniformity and preventing no-load running should also be prioritized.

2. The charge amount of each division in the extractor should be 80-85%. The solvent temperature should be within 50 – 55 °C, while the immersion temperature of soybean flakes should be 50 to 55 °C, and the temperature of the extractor should be 50 °C. The use of dry-type large droplets spray is recommended. The liquid level of the spray section should be 30-50 mm higher than the materials. When spraying fresh solvent, it should not be spilled into the dry period. The solvent ratio (the ratio of solvent weight and the weight of leaching material) should be 1：0.8-1.1. Non-toxic solvents with certain volatility for oils, chemical stability, not inflammable or explosive, narrow boiling range, small water solubility, no corrosion for the machine or react with oil meal should be used.

3. The temperature should be strictly controlled in the mixed oil processing process of soybean oil processing plant. If the concentration of mixed oil does not reach evaporation operation requirements after stripping, part of the mixed oil should continue for circular evaporation.

4. The purpose of refining soybean oil processing plant is to make the quality of soybean oil meet the edible standard. In the refining of high-temperature hydration processing, it should be noted that the temperature of preheating crude soybean oil is 55-75°C when adding water. Directly steam, heating water or steam and water blending can be used. The phosphatide content in crude soybean oil after leaching is 3-4%, and the amount of water added should be 2-3.5 times that of phospholipid content. The temperature of water shall not be lower than the oil temperature. When phospholipid colloidal particles can lastingly suspend in the oil and not gather into flocs, then add water faster; otherwise, it should be added slowly. At the beginning of hydration, the revolution of mixing wing (slope of 40-45°) should be 60-70 r/min (suspension type should be 140-180 r/min). When phospholipids form, turn the revolution slowly for 20-30 r/min. Remain stable when hydrated oil temperature reaches 140 °C with a vacuum degree of 93325 PASCAL (700 mmHG). After deodorization, solvent content in soybean oil should be less than 50 mg/kg.

Main equipment used in soybean oil extraction plant:

A soybean oil extraction plant typically consists of several key equipment and machinery that are involved in the process of extracting oil from soybeans. Here are the common equipments found in a soybean oil extraction plant:

1, Seed Cleaning Equipment: This equipment is used to remove impurities such as dirt, stones, and other foreign particles from the soybean seeds before processing.

2, Seed Cracker: The seed cracker or cracking mill is used to break the soybean seeds into smaller pieces, which helps in increasing the surface area and facilitating the oil extraction process.

3, Conditioner: The conditioner is a vessel where the cracked soybeans are heated and conditioned. This heat treatment helps in loosening the oil from the cells of the soybeans and improving the oil extraction efficiency.

4, Pressing Equipment: This equipment is used to mechanically extract the oil from the soybean flakes or conditioned soybeans. It typically involves a screw press or expeller that applies pressure to the soybeans, squeezing out the oil.

5, Oil Filter Press: The extracted crude soybean oil contains impurities and solid particles that need to be removed. An oil filter press is used to separate the oil from these impurities through filtration.

6, Solvent Extraction Equipment (Optional): In some cases, solvent extraction may be employed to extract a higher yield of oil from soybean flakes. This process involves using a solvent, such as hexane, to dissolve the oil from the flakes. The solvent is then removed, leaving behind the extracted oil.

7, Oil Refining Equipment: If the extracted soybean oil needs to be refined, additional equipment may be required. This includes equipment for degumming, neutralization, bleaching, and deodorization, which are commonly used in the refining process to remove impurities and improve the quality of the oil.

8, Storage Tanks: After extraction and refining, the soybean oil is stored in tanks to ensure proper storage and preservation.

It’s worth noting that the specific configuration and scale of equipment can vary depending on the capacity and requirements of the soybean oil extraction plant.

Features of finished soybean oil:

1. With yellow or brown color; refractive index (20°C) of 1.4720-1.4770; proportion (20°C / 4°C) of 0.9210- 0.9250.
2. Health standards: solvent content in the oil must not exceed 50 mg/kg. The soybean oil should have the inherent odor and taste without peculiar smell.

Soybean oil is a healthy oil that is commonly used for deep frying, pan frying, stir frying, and baking. With 24% monounsaturated fat and 60% polyunsaturated fat, this oil is safe for consumption as these fats do not raise blood cholesterol levels. Investing in a soybean oil extraction plant is a promising venture, and Huanyang is here to guide you towards the success of your business. With our expertise and experience in the industry, we can provide you with the best advice and support to ensure that your investment yields the desired results. Trust us to be your partner in this exciting journey towards success.