In the global edible oil market, improving the quality of edible oil is crucial for enterprises to gain a competitive edge. Among them, the dewaxing process plays a vital role in enhancing the transparency and digestibility of edible oils. This article will focus on low - temperature crystallization (winterization) technology, which is at the core of edible oil dewaxing.
Low - temperature crystallization technology is a key method for edible oil dewaxing. By precisely controlling the temperature, the wax in the oil gradually crystallizes and precipitates. This process can effectively reduce the cloud point of the oil and improve its digestibility. For example, in some large - scale oil production plants, the application of this technology has increased the transparency of soybean oil from 80% to 95%.
There are several key parameters in the dewaxing process that significantly affect wax separation efficiency.
1. Cooling Rate: A proper cooling rate is essential. For soybean oil, a cooling rate of 0.5 - 1°C per hour can achieve a better wax separation effect. If the cooling rate is too fast, the wax crystals will be too small to be effectively separated, while a too - slow rate will reduce production efficiency.
2. Stirring Intensity: Appropriate stirring can promote the formation of uniform wax crystals. In general, a stirring speed of 30 - 50 revolutions per minute is suitable for most edible oils. Different stirring intensities are required according to the viscosity and characteristics of different oils.
3. Solvent Ratio: When using solvents in the dewaxing process, the ratio of solvent to oil is also a critical factor. For example, in the dewaxing of sunflower oil, a solvent - to - oil ratio of 1:2 can improve the wax separation efficiency.
In actual production, some problems often occur during the dewaxing process, such as high wax residue rate and excessive oil loss.
When the wax residue rate is high, it may be due to improper cooling rate or ineffective separation equipment. By adjusting the cooling rate and optimizing the separation equipment, the wax residue rate can be reduced. For example, through technical upgrades, a certain enterprise reduced the wax residue rate of rapeseed oil from 2% to 0.5%.
Excessive oil loss may be related to the solvent recovery process. By improving the solvent recovery technology, the oil loss rate can be controlled within 1 - 2%.
In conclusion, understanding the low - temperature crystallization technology and key parameters in the edible oil dewaxing process is of great significance for improving oil quality. If you are a technical personnel or market decision - maker in the grain and oil industry and want to optimize your dewaxing process, click here to get a customized solution.
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