Simulation and process design of continuous countercurrent ethanolic extraction of rice bran oil

Author(s)

Bessa, Larissa C. B. A. ; Ferreira, Marcela C. ; Rodrigues, Christianne E. C. ; Batista, Eduardo A. C. ; Meirelles, Antonio J. A.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Food Engineering; v. 202, p. 99-113, JUN 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 10

Abstract

The overwhelming majority of all vegetable oils is extracted using solvent extraction, and the most widely used solvent is hexane. However, the use of ethanol has attractive advantages, including low toxicity, good operational security, as well as being obtained from a biorenewable source. In this study, a multiple-batch solid-liquid extraction system has been successfully employed to simulate continuous countercurrent ethanolic extraction of rice bran oil. Results showed that the extraction process using ethanol as solvent is feasible and facilitated by increases in temperature. The number of equilibrium stages required for rice bran oil extraction was theoretically determined, and it was shown that in the extraction process using hexane the number of ideal stages is lower than the number required when ethanol is used as solvent. Furthermore, a mathematical expression for determining the minimum flow of solvent depending on the equilibrium relationship between the extract and raffinate phases has been developed and implemented for both solvents. Given the potential fire hazard and harmful emissions risks of using hexane as solvent, extraction with ethanol showed to be a promising alternative to conventional extraction, completely exhausting the solid matrix with only five stages. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/21252-0 - Equilibrium and production processes of biofuels and bioproducts
• Grantee: Antonio José de Almeida Meirelles
• Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/54137-1 - Acquisition of a particle size/distribution analyzer, a zeta potential measurement system, a spray dryer, and an ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatograph/mass spectrometer
• Grantee: Miriam Dupas Hubinger
• Support type: Multi-user Equipment Program
• FAPESP's process: 14/09446-4 - Development of a process of vegetable oil extraction using alcoholic solvents: evaluation of oil composition and changes in the protein fraction
• Grantee: Christianne Elisabete da Costa Rodrigues
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 08/56258-8 - Phase equilibrium and purification processes in the production of biofuels and biocompounds
• Grantee: Antonio José de Almeida Meirelles
• Support type: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Thematic Grants