Crude oil, freshly extracted from seed contains undesirable impurities, which must be removed. These include free fatty acids, phosphatides, colour pigments and fine particles.
The filter used for this is a pressure leaf type, which is commonly used in the edible oil industry for the removal of adsorbent.
Technical specifications |
|
Reactor vessel |
|
Material |
stainless steel |
Total volume |
45 litres |
Working volume |
25 litres |
Diameter |
0.30m |
Height |
0.65m |
Heating element |
3.0kW |
Cooling coil area |
0.12m2 |
Agitator speed |
250-1800rpm |
Reagent vessel |
|
Material |
stainless steel |
Working volume |
3 litres |
Diameter |
0.165m |
Height |
0.20m |
Heating element |
1kW |
Earth hopper |
|
Material |
stainless steel |
Volume |
0.3 litre |
Pressure leaf filter |
|
Material |
stainless steel |
Filter volume |
3.8 litres |
Filter cake capacity |
1 litre |
Filtering area |
0.09m2 |
Filter screen |
110 mesh (0.3mm wire) |
Maximum pressure |
3.0 bar |
Vacuum pump |
|
Type |
liquid-ring |
Sealant |
water |
Working vacuum |
75mm Hg (ABS) |
Sealant flow rate |
8 l/m |
Performance |
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Independent tests carried out by Manchester Metropolitan University, Hollings Faculty using crude Rapeseed oil gave the following analytical results |
|||
|
Crude Oil |
Neutralised |
Bleached |
Iodine value |
117 |
117 |
117 |
Free fatty acid |
1.5% |
0.12% |
0.1% |
|
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Colour |
70 Yellow |
50 Yellow |
20 Yellow |
|
7 Red |
3.3 Red |
0.5 Red |
|
3.2 Blue |
|
|
|
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Soap in oil |
— |
<100ppm |
nil |
Peroxide |
0.4 meguiv/kg |
nil |
nil |