What are the main stages of edible oil refining?

An edible oil refining unit employs a series of physical and chemical methods—such as dephosphorization, deacidification, degumming, deodorization, and decolorization—to deeply refine oils. These processes effectively remove phospholipids, gums, waxes, free fatty acids, pigments, and odor substances, making the oil clearer, more transparent, and improving its taste, stability, and storage properties.

The refining unit consists of key equipment such as acid-base reaction tanks, centrifuges, decolorization tanks, vacuum deodorization devices, along with supporting pipelines, tanks, and oil pumps. These components work together to complete the refining process.For example, acid-base reaction tanks are used to neutralize free fatty acids and acidic substances in the oil. Centrifuges help separate solid particles and impurities. Decolorization tanks and vacuum deodorization equipment are respectively used to remove pigments and odor substances from the oil.

The refining unit operates based on physical and chemical principles to purify, separate, and refine raw materials. Specifically, it first removes impurities using physical or chemical methods to enhance product purity. Then, it separates and extracts target substances from the purified material, further improving purity. Finally, residual impurities are eliminated through chemical reactions and physical operations, ensuring the final product meets the required purity standards.

Refining Process Steps

The refining unit follows a systematic process:

Raw Material Preparation 

Selecting suitable raw materials based on refining goals and performing necessary preprocessing, such as crushing and screening.

Purification Treatment

Removing impurities using physical (e.g., filtration, centrifugation, sedimentation) or chemical (e.g., precipitation, adsorption, ion exchange) methods.

Separation & Extraction 

Extracting target substances through techniques like distillation or crystallization.

Refining Treatment 

Eliminating remaining impurities via heat treatment, pressure treatment, and chemical reactions.

Product Testing & Adjustment 

Assessing refined oil quality to ensure compliance with standards. If necessary, adjusting parameters like temperature, pressure, or reaction time to optimize quality.

Throughout the process, automation and intelligent control ensure precision and efficiency. Additionally, the refining unit is designed for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, reducing energy consumption and emissions.

Refined edible oil meets regulatory quality standards and aligns with consumer demand for healthier food options. It offers higher nutritional and economic value and is widely used in food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries.

The refining unit follows a meticulous and multi-step process to efficiently remove impurities, enhance product purity, and improve oil quality, providing high-quality raw materials and products for industrial applications.