Simulation of solvent extraction as an anternative for vegetable oil deodorization

• Grant number: 24/03169-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: March 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Roberta Ceriani
• Grantee: Paula Nogueira Penedo dos Santos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/11380-5 - CPTEn - São Paulo Center for the Study of Energy Transition, AP.CCD

Abstract

The oleochemical industry uses oils and fats of animal or vegetable origin as its raw material. Its importance lies on the production of edible oils, biocompounds (nutraceuticals, fatty compounds) and biodiesel. In the same way as other industrial sectors, there is a growing interest for more environment friendly and efficient processes, as well as healthier products and added value by-products. In fact, variations in the perception of what is desirable in intermediate/final products can generate changes or alternatives to the traditional technologies. To become edible, oils extracted from oleaginous sources must go through a refining process to remove impurities. In its composition, mainly triacylglycerols (TAG) are present, which are esters of fatty acids and glycerol. Crude (unrefined) vegetable oils also contain free fatty acids, mono- (MAG) and diacylglycerols (DAG), nutraceutical compounds, odorous compounds (mainly from oxidation reactions), traces of metals, among other minor elements. Deodorization corresponds to the last stage of the refining process, and it goals for removing short-chain oxygenated compounds that yield undesirable odors, such as aldehydes, ketones and carboxylic acids. Aldehydes correspond to the main odoriferous compounds, due to their low odor threshold. Deodorization, in the conventional refining process, occurs in a stripping steam column that operates at high temperature and low pressure, having several disadvantages such as losses of nutraceutical compounds and neutral oil (TAG, DAG and MAG), favoring deodorization reactions. oxidation and cis-trans isomerization, in addition to the formation of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) and glycidol (genotoxic and carcinogenic compounds). The liquid-liquid extraction is an alternative to the vegetable oil deodorization step, which can be used to mild the operational conditions of the traditional process and, possibly, reduce undesirable effects. In this context, the objective of this work is to study the solvent extraction as an alternative to deodorization of vegetable oils. Solvent extraction will be carried out in countercurrent multistage liquid-liquid extractors, evaluating the effect of the number of stages and the S/F ratio (solvent flow/feed flow) on product quality.The softwares Aspen Plus ® will be used for the simulations, using the NRTL and UNIQUAC thermodynamic models, and the UNIFAC group contribution method. This project is part of a research group of the Laboratory of Thermodynamic Properties, at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering, UNICAMP, following three master's degrees and a doctorate already concluded.