Oil refining processes can be improved through the use of optek inline colorimeters and turbidimeters by reducing operating costs such as sampling and laboratory testing.
Monitoring oil refining processes such as winterisation, bleaching, hydrogenation and finished oil quality in real time can be improved through the use of optek inline colorimeters and turbidimeters. Out of specification product can be detected immediately, allowing process adjustments to be made quickly and reducing the need for product reworking. optek inline sensors are designed to operate in oil refining environments, including temperatures up to 240°C.
Using optek inline colorimeters and turbidimeters throughout vegetable and edible oil processing can reduce sampling and laboratory testing by recording measurements inline and in real time. The company says this can reduce operating costs through lower losses, downtime and reworking. Inline measurements can also improve filtration throughput, reduce recirculation time and lower the use of filtration agents such as bleaching clay and nickel catalyst.
Colour measurements for quality control
Colour measurements are used after the bleaching and filtration processes, and as a final quality check after deodorisation before tank storage. The optek dual channel AF26 colorimeter output can be correlated to colour scales including AOCS, APHA and Hazen. Inline measurements provide process control during refining and bleaching.
Bleaching and filtration
The bleaching process can be optimised using optek colorimeters. Monitoring colour after the bleaching filter helps control the addition of bleaching clay. The filtration process can then be set automatically to recycle mode until the required clarity is achieved.
Filtrate monitoring can also detect filter breaks and track filter performance, supporting quality assurance and quality control processes.
Control of chlorophyll concentration
Chlorophyll concentrations vary in oilseeds. Higher concentrations can reduce the shelf life of vegetable and edible oils. Oils with elevated chlorophyll levels generally require an additional processing step where the oil is heated to break down the chlorophyll.
Monitoring oil in the pipeline before it enters the bleaching process allows oil with high chlorophyll concentrations to be diverted through the additional heating stage, while oil with lower concentrations proceeds directly to bleaching.
The optek dual channel colorimeter AF26 is capable of measuring chlorophyll concentrations below 30 ppb in real time and inline.
Winterisation
The winterisation process removes high melting components such as wax from edible oils. Installed inline after the winterisation process, the optek TF16-N scattered light turbidimeter provides real time monitoring of process performance.
Remaining high melting components can be detected and measured at low ppm ranges, helping reduce losses associated with reworking out of specification product.
Hydrogenation
Hydrogenation is used in the production of solid fats and margarine to increase melting temperature and improve oxidation stability, helping extend product shelf life.
Nickel based catalysts are generally used during the process. Once hydrogenation is complete, the nickel catalyst must be filtered out. The optek TF16-N turbidimeter can detect low catalyst concentrations, supporting filtration control and reducing catalyst loss while helping maintain product quality.
An ATEX/FM version of the turbidimeter is available for use in hazardous areas.
For further information contact AMS Instrumentation & Calibration Pty Ltd on 03-9017 8225, or Freecall (NZ) 0800 442 743, alternatively on e-mail: sales@ams-ic.com.au or visit our web site at www.ams-ic.com.au
Boronia, VIC – Head Office
+61 3 9017 8225
