12/31/2024

B leaching in E dible
Oil Proces s ing
Bleaching is a crucial step in edible oil processing, serving not only to
lighten the oil's color but also to purify it for further processing. This
process removes various impurities, including soap, gums, prooxidant
metals, peroxides, and secondary oxidation products. The
effectiveness of bleaching depends on key parameters such as
procedure, adsorbent type and dosage, temperature, time, moisture,
and filtration. Each variable must be carefully considered based on
the specific oil being processed and the system used.

by Zunair Abdullah

Bleaching Procedures
1 Batch Atmospheric
Oil is heated in an open-top tank with steam coils and a paddle
agitator. Bleaching earth is added, and the mixture is heated to
bleaching temperature. The oil is then recirculated through a filter
press until clear.

2 Batch Vacuum
Bleaching earth is mixed with a small portion of oil in a slurry tank,
then transferred to a vacuum bleacher containing the rest of the oil.
The mixture is heated under vacuum, then cooled and filtered.

3 Continuous Vacuum
Clay is continuously fed into oil, sprayed into vacuum chambers for
water and air removal, heated, and then sprayed into a second
chamber for bleaching. The oil is then filtered in a closed-type filter
and cooled.

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Bleaching Agents
Natural Bleaching Earth Activated Bleaching Activated Carbon
Earth
Bentonite clays with natural Formed from carbonaceous
absorptive properties. Best for Produced from bentonite clays materials at high temperatures.
easily bleached oils like with high montmorillonite Effective for certain impurities
coconut, lard, and tallow. Can content. Treated with acids to not affected by earths. Used
absorb 15% of their weight in enhance adsorption sparingly due to filtration issues
impurities but retain 30% capabilities. More effective for and high cost.
neutral oil. difficult oils like palm, soybean,
and canola.

Silica Ads orbents

1 Composition
Chemically inert synthetic amorphous silica with an affinity for polar
contaminants.

2 Capabilities
Adsorbs secondary oxidation products, phosphatidic compounds,
sulfur compounds, trace metals, and soap.

3 Function
Enhances efficiency of bleaching earths by removing impurities that
compete with color pigments for adsorption.

4 Usage
Often used in combination with bleaching earths, either added
together or separately in the bleaching process.

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Bleaching Earth Dosage

Range
Bleaching earth usage typically varies from 0.15% to 3.0% of oil weight, with higher
quantities used only in extreme cases.

Efficiency
Acid-activated clays are generally 1.5 to 2 times more effective than natural earths,
allowing for lower dosages.

Optimization
The minimum required bleach is usually best, as overbleaching can increase oil
losses and lead to flavor, oxidative, and color instability.

Considerations
Dosage must account for removal of all impurities, including peroxides, chlorophyll,
phosphorus, and soap, while achieving the desired Lovibond red color.

Temperature in B leac hing

1 Initial S lurry
Adsorbents should be slurried with oil at relatively low temperatures
(158°F or 70°C).

2 Optimal R ange
Final bleach temperatures typically range between 194 to 212°F (90 to
100°C).

3 Upper Limit
Temperatures above 230°F (110°C) can lead to increased anisidine values,
indicating damage to oxidative stability.

4 Cons iderations
Temperature should be kept as low as possible to minimize product
damage while ensuring adequate adsorption of impurities and color
pigments.

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Time Factors in Bleaching

Initial Adsorption
Color decrease is rapid during the first few minutes of adsorbent
contact with the oil.

Optimal Duration
Usually, a contact time of 15 to 20 minutes is adequate at a bleaching
temperature above the boiling point of water.

Silica Pre-treatment
When using silica, it's recommended to add it first with strong agitation
and vacuum for 15 minutes before introducing bleaching earth.

Press Effect
Continued reduction in impurities during filtering is caused by the press
effect, a benefit provided by earth buildup in the filter with continued
use.

Mois ture in B leaching

1 Adsorbent Mois ture
Bleaching earths typically contain 10-18% moisture, which acts as a
structural support for montmorillonite layers.

2 Oil Moisture
Refined oil can contain moisture levels from less than 0.1% to as high as
1.0%, which must be removed for effective adsorption.

3 Mois ture Removal

Bound moisture in adsorbents is released at elevated bleaching
temperatures, allowing for maximum adsorption capacity.

4 Optimal Conditions
Slightly wet oil may be beneficial for removing color pigments and
flavor precursors, resulting in a lighter, more stable oil.

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Filtration in Bleaching
Precoating 1
Filter aids are used to protect filter screens, provide
immediate clarity, improve flow rate, and aid in filter cake
removal. 2 Filtering
Body feed can be used to prevent blinding of suspended
solids on the precoat. Filtration continues until pressure

Cleaning drop, flow rate decrease, or calculated load level is

3 reached.
Once the filter cycle is complete, the filter cake must be
removed and the process repeated.

Types of Filters

Plate and Frame Filters Pres s ure L eaf Filters Self-Cleaning Clos ed
Traditional filters, now largely Easier to clean than plate and
Filters
replaced due to labor-intensive frame presses, reducing labor Modern filters that operate on an
cleaning. costs. automated cycle, further
reducing labor costs.

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Bleaching Byproduct Handling

Landfill Disposal
Most common method. Spent earth must be covered quickly due to rapid
oxidation and risk of spontaneous combustion.

Oil Content
Spent bleaching earth may contain 25-75% oil by weight. Recovery is important
but must be balanced against potential impurity desorption.

Environmental Concerns
Efficient oil recovery may become a legal requirement in the future due to
environmental considerations.

Recovery Methods
Various methods exist, including cake steaming, hot water extraction, solvent
extraction, and water/lye extraction.

Oil Recovery Methods

Method Efficiency Advantages Disadvantages

Cake Steaming Up to 80% Simple, in-filter Risk of

process impurity
desorption

Hot Water 55-70% Practical for Less efficient

Extraction most facilities than solvent
extraction

Solvent Over 95% High yield, Expensive,

Extraction good quality requires
special facilities

Water/Lye Up to 85% Simple, Low-quality

Extraction inexpensive recovered oil

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Environmental Considerations
1 Waste Reduction
Efficient oil recovery from spent bleaching earth can significantly reduce
waste volume.

2 Recycling Potential
Recovered bleaching clay can potentially be used as landfill cover material,
reducing the need for soil or sand.

3 Energy Efficiency
Optimizing bleaching processes can lead to reduced energy consumption
in oil processing.

4 Future Regulations
Anticipation of stricter environmental regulations may drive innovation in
bleaching earth handling and oil recovery methods.