Cold Refining

The cold refining process offers a sustainable alternative to winterization and usually follows neutralization. It works best with oils that have a low Free Fatty Acid (FFA) content. Oils with high FFA levels can lead to excessive oil losses, making cold refining less effective.

In this process, we add a small amount of acid to the crude oil without heating. The oil mixes thoroughly, and after a short retention period, the acid infuses into the oil. Once infused, we cool the oil. We then add caustic soda to neutralize the free fatty acids. Afterward, the oil flows through crystallizers for up to seven hours.

Once crystallization is complete, we gently heat the oil to reduce its thickness. A centrifuge separates soap stock and waxes from the dewaxed neutral oil. Next, we wash the oil to remove the remaining soap content. We add the required wash water and mix the oil thoroughly. The oil and water then separate in a second centrifuge. Finally, we dry the oil in a vacuum dryer to remove any remaining moisture.

This process improves the quality of oil while minimizing energy use compared to traditional methods. Cold refining also reduces waste and helps meet sustainability goals. It provides an efficient, cost-effective option for oil refining.

Also check out, “Oil Extraction System“