Columns with parallel streams applied to the steam stripping of edible oils

Author(s)

Paiva, Camila Leite ; Biasi, Lilian Caroline Kramer ; Ceriani, Roberta

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN; v. 208, p. 12-pg., 2024-07-20.

Abstract

Parastripping involves splitting the vapor flow within the stripping column. This arrangement can reduce the height of the column, utility requirements, and, consequently, overall costs. Nevertheless, studies on parastripping are scarce and do not consider multicomponent mixtures. This work aimed to investigate by rigorous simulation the multicomponent parastripping process applied to the steam deacidification of edible oils. The effects of process variables, such as feed temperature, column pressure, and stripping steam flow rate, which impact final oil acidity, neutral oil loss, and tocopherol recovery, were evaluated using the response surface methodology (RSM). Optimal ranges for the investigated process variables were determined to achieve an oil acidity of 0.03 %w/w of oleic acid. Through RSM, an optimised region for the three independent variables was identified - pressures (<3.5 mBar), mild temperatures (230-240 degrees C) and stripping steam of 0.9% of the oil load), which reduced operation costs and possibly prevents the formation of glycidyl esters and trans-fatty acids. Within this region an optimised condition of temperature was set (233 degrees C), and the effects of pressure and % of stripping were analysed by varying (233 degrees C, 3.5 mBar and 0.9 %w/w of stripping steam) on was deeply analysed in terms of successful for reaching a final oil acidity < 0.03 %w/w - a value conforming to industrial standards - with 19 % of tocopherol recovery in the distillate and 0.5 % neutral oil loss. Further analyses were performed on the temperature and molar flow profiles of the oil compounds as a function of the parastripping stages. These results clearly demonstrated that decision-making could be based on this analysis. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/18253-0 - Phase equilibria in lipid and biofuel technologies
• Grantee: Roberta Ceriani
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Regular Program Grants
• FAPESP's process: 21/11380-5 - CPTEn - São Paulo Center for the Study of Energy Transition
• Grantee: Luiz Carlos Pereira da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Science Centers for Development
• FAPESP's process: 21/09028-1 - Use of organic solvents in the extraction and refining of vegetable oils: determination of physical properties and Gibbs free energies by molecular simulation
• Grantee: Lilian Caroline Kramer Biasi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 14/21252-0 - Equilibrium and production processes of biofuels and bioproducts
• Grantee: Antonio José de Almeida Meirelles
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants