Finned Tube Heat Exchanger in Palm Oil Extraction Process

Finned Tube Heat Exchanger in Palm Oil Extraction Process

In the Raw Material Pre-treatment Stage

Fruit preheating: Palm fruit bunches usually need to be preheated before entering the extraction process. Finned tube heat exchanger utilizes steam or hot water as the heat medium to heat the palm fruits, generally raising the temperature of the fruits to 60 - 70℃. This makes it easier to separate the pulp from the kernel and also reduces the viscosity of the palm oil in preparation for subsequent extraction operations such as pressing or extraction.

Killing and fermentation treatment: Palm fruits contain a variety of enzymes which, if left untreated, can lead to degradation of oil quality during the extraction process. By heating the fruit to a certain temperature and keeping it there for a certain period of time through finned tube heat exchanger, generally at 80 - 90 ℃ for 15 - 20 minutes, these enzymes can be effectively killed, preventing them from adversely affecting the oil and grease, and ensuring the quality of palm oil.

At the Oil Extraction Stage

Pressing Aid: During the pressing process, finned tube heat exchanger can heat the pressing equipment or raw material moderately. By precisely controlling the heating temperature, generally keeping the temperature of raw material at 40 - 50℃, palm oil can be more smoothly extruded from the pulp and the oil yield of pressing can be improved. At the same time, the appropriate temperature can also reduce the oxidation of oil in the pressing process and ensure the quality of oil.

Extraction intensification: When solvent extraction is used to extract palm oil, finned tube heat exchanger is used to control the extraction temperature. Usually the extraction temperature is controlled at 30 - 60℃, which varies according to the different solvents used. The suitable temperature can improve the solvent's ability to dissolve palm oil, speed up the extraction speed, make the extraction process more efficient, and improve the extraction rate and purity of palm oil.

In the Oil Refining Stage

Degumming heating: the crude palm oil obtained by extraction contains gummy impurities such as phospholipids and proteins. Use finned tube heat exchanger to heat the crude palm oil to 60 - 80 ℃, add appropriate amount of water or phosphoric acid and other degumming agents, so that the gum impurities cohesion and precipitation, so as to realize the purpose of degumming, improve the quality of palm oil, and create good conditions for the subsequent refining process.

Drying treatment: After degumming, decolorization and other processes, palm oil may still contain a certain amount of water. Finned tube heat exchanger can heat the palm oil, raise the oil temperature to 100 - 110 ℃, so that the water evaporates and removes. The dried palm oil can be better stored and further processed, reducing the problems of hydrolysis and oxidation caused by moisture and extending the shelf life of palm oil.

Finned Tube Heat Exchanger Application Advantages

Efficient heat transfer: the structure of finned tube greatly increases the heat transfer area, which can significantly improve the heat transfer efficiency, quickly transfer heat to palm oil or its raw materials, shorten the process time and improve production efficiency.

Precise temperature control: The temperature of each link in the palm oil extraction and refining process can be accurately controlled by adjusting the flow and temperature of the heat medium to ensure that the process is carried out under the optimal temperature conditions, which is conducive to improving the quality of palm oil and yield stability.

Strong adaptability: the structure and material of finned tube heat exchanger can be selected according to different process requirements and working environment, which can adapt to high temperature, high humidity and possible corrosive working conditions in the palm oil extraction process, with high reliability and durability.

Energy saving and consumption reduction: due to its efficient heat transfer performance, in order to meet the requirements of the process temperature at the same time, can reduce energy consumption, reduce production costs, in line with the requirements of modern industrial production on energy saving and environmental protection.