Soybean Oil Extraction Plant

The following are the industrial processes which take place in soybean oil extraction plant. This is usually convenient for the large-scale oil production.
 

Cleaning of soybeans

In the initial stages, the soybeans will be cleaned so as to remove impurities. The impurities will comprise of both metallic and non-metallic. Magnetic separator is used to remove the metallic impurities. This separator works by adopting magnetic force depending on the metal impurity. Non-metallic impurities are removed by use of sieves and vibrating cleaning screen. Due to the high frequency of the vibrating equipment impurities which are larger or smaller than the soybeans are forced out via the sieve holes.

Crushing of the soybeans

After cleaning the next step is crushing process. Crushing is done to separate the beans kernel from its skin. A crusher is used during the crushing process. In this process, larger soybeans granules are ground to produce quality embryo and improve productivity.
 
Reasons for the crushing process
Increasing surface area of the oilseeds so as to enable the efficient transfer of temperature and moisture during the softening process.
It also works as a preparation for the oil pressing process.

Softening process

Softening is usually done to soybeans due to its low oil content. Softening is done by adjusting the oil temperature so as to build elasticity which is required during the rolling process. The seeds are passed through a horizontal softening pot under a temperature of around 70-80 degrees for a period of up to 30 minutes. When the seeds are in the pot they are heated, steamed and rotated at the same time for the softening process to take place.

Soybeans rolling process

A flaking machine is used during this process. It involves the rolling of the oilseeds from granules into flakes. When this is done the cell structure of the oilseeds is destroyed. This increases the surface area for the oil extraction.

Soybeans extruding process

Extruding is the process of breaking through crushed and rolled soybeans so as to form a porous and spread granular material. An extruding machine is used to carry out this process. In the extruding machine heating, pressing and gluing is done at a temperature of 110-200 degrees Celsius.

Solvent extraction process

To remove any soybeans oil which remains during extrusion process highly volatile hydrocarbon is used. This solvent normally hexane absorbs any oil remaining in the seeds. Later the oil is acquired when the solvent evaporates due to its volatile nature.

Refining the extracted oil

The oil extracted is normally not pure as it contains impurities. To obtain pure oil, refining process is done. Refining involves degumming, Deacidification, decolorization and deodorization process.

Deacidification is done by addition of alkaline substance such as sodium carbonate the heated. To remove pigments from the oil white clay is usually used. Deodorization is done by passing the oil directly on steam to remove any odor which could be present.

Acquiring yourself the soybean oil extraction plant and with the above procedure you will be able to produce pure soybeans oil. It comes as a full package.