Intelligent Automation Control Systems in Edible Oil Degumming Process: Applications and Product Advantages

01 12,2025

QI ' E Group

Product description

This article explores the critical role of degumming in edible oil refining, emphasizing its foundational impact on subsequent steps such as neutralization, bleaching, and deodorization. By analyzing common degumming failures—such as excessive bleaching agent usage and equipment scaling—it reveals how phospholipids and moisture impurities affect process efficiency and oil quality. Real-world case studies illustrate the chemical and physical mechanisms at play. The paper presents practical improvements using intelligent automation control systems, including temperature联动 (interlock), liquid level sensing, and smart feedback regulation. These solutions reduce human error, enhance process stability, and enable data-driven optimization. Supported by comparative tables, flow diagrams, and operational examples, this guide offers actionable insights for refining plant operators seeking to upgrade degumming performance. The integration of Qiniu Group’s advanced refining equipment and intelligent automation technology ensures superior reliability, maintenance support, and production consistency—ideal for enterprises aiming to improve product quality and operational resilience.

Why Smart Automation Is the Missing Link in Your Edible Oil Degumming Process

For edible oil producers, degumming isn’t just a step—it’s the foundation of quality. When phosphatides and moisture aren’t fully removed, downstream processes like neutralization, bleaching, and deodorization suffer from reduced efficiency, higher chemical consumption, and inconsistent product clarity. In fact, studies show that poor degumming can increase bleaching agent usage by up to 18% and lead to 12–25% more frequent centrifuge cleaning cycles due to gum buildup.

Common Degumming Failures & Their Hidden Costs

Many refineries still rely on manual temperature control or fixed-time water addition—methods prone to human error. A typical failure scenario involves over-hydration: too much water at high temperatures causes emulsification, making it nearly impossible for the centrifuge to separate phospholipids effectively. This leads to:

Increased soap stock formation during neutralization (up to 5% yield loss)
Higher energy costs from repeated heating cycles
More downtime for equipment maintenance

One case study from a Malaysian palm oil refiner revealed that after implementing real-time feedback control, their degumming efficiency improved by 37%, reducing raw material waste and boosting overall throughput by 15% within six months.

Smart automation system monitoring degumming process with real-time data display

How Intelligent Control Transforms Degumming Efficiency

Modern smart systems integrate three key functions:

Feature	Impact
Temperature-Locked Water Injection	Reduces emulsion risk by 90% compared to manual timing
Liquid Level Sensing + Feedback Loop	Maintains optimal feed ratio—cuts rework by ~20%
Remote Monitoring via Cloud Dashboard	Enables predictive maintenance, saving 3–5 hours/month per operator

These features don’t just improve consistency—they transform your degumming from an unpredictable variable into a precise, repeatable operation. The result? Cleaner oil, less waste, fewer bottlenecks.

Comparison chart showing traditional vs automated degumming process efficiency metrics

At Penguin Group, we’ve helped over 60 global clients upgrade their degumming lines using our proprietary automation platform. Whether you’re running a small-scale refinery or a large integrated plant, our solution scales—from single-unit integration to full-line digital twin support.