Palm Oil Sterilization Temperature in Palm Oil Mills
In the entire palm oil production process, the most crucial first step is not in the refining workshop, but in the palm fruit processing section. The “sterilization” process here directly determines the oil yield, free fatty acid content, and final quality of the crude oil. The core of sterilization lies in the precise control of temperature, time, and steam. Henan Huatai Cereals and Oils Machinery Co., Ltd., with its extensive experience in palm oil processing equipment, will provide you with an in-depth analysis of the secrets of palm oil sterilization temperature.
What is sterilization? Why is it so important?
Palm fruit bunches transported from the orchard to the palm oil factory are covered with a large number of enzymes and microorganisms, especially fat-decomposing enzymes. If not treated immediately, these enzymes will rapidly decompose the oil, leading to:
1) A sharp increase in free fatty acids (FFA): FFA is one of the core indicators for measuring palm oil quality. The higher the FFA, the worse the oil quality, and the higher the difficulty and cost of subsequent refining.
2) Reduced oil yield: After the oil is decomposed, it cannot be effectively extracted during the palm oil pressing process, resulting in economic losses.
3) Oil deterioration: This produces off-odors, affecting the flavor and stability of the final product.
The purpose of “sterilization” is to rapidly deactivate (inactivate) these fat-decomposing enzymes through high-temperature steam treatment, while simultaneously loosening the pulp to facilitate subsequent fruit threshing, digester, and pressing. It can be said that the sterilization process is the “guardian” of high-quality palm oil production.
What is the core temperature range for palm fruit sterilization?
The sterilization process takes place in a palm oil sterilizing tank. Temperature control is not a fixed point, but a comprehensive process combining steam pressure, temperature, and time.
1) Core temperature range: The operating temperature inside the sterilizer tank is typically maintained between 90℃ and 130℃.
2) Corresponding steam pressure: This temperature range is achieved by injecting saturated steam, with a corresponding steam pressure typically between 0.2 and 0.5 MPa (approximately 2-5 atmospheres).
3) Key Time Parameters: At this temperature, a certain duration needs to be maintained. A complete sterilization cycle (including feeding, heating, holding, and depressurization/discharging) typically takes approximately 50-90 minutes, with the core holding time being about 15-25 minutes.
4) Key Balance Points for Temperature Control:
Insufficient temperature (too low or too short a time): Fat-degrading enzymes cannot be completely deactivated, resulting in incomplete sterilization. FFA levels will still rise rapidly, negating the purpose of sterilization.
Excessively high temperature or too long a time: This causes the fruit to be “overcooked” in the tank. The kernels are steamed, increasing the difficulty of subsequent shelling and causing kernel oil to contaminate the pulp oil. The pulp becomes too soft and mushy, easily clogging equipment during subsequent decanting and pressing. Energy consumption increases, affecting production efficiency.
How does Huatai Oil Machinery optimize the sterilization temperature process to create value for customers?
Henan Huatai Cereals and Oils Machinery Co., Ltd. deeply understands the decisive impact of the sterilization process on the economic benefits of the entire palm oil production line. Therefore, Huatai’s palm oil processing solutions incorporate several targeted optimizations to the sterilization system:
- Layered Steam Injection and Intelligent Control System: Traditional palm oil sterilization tanks often result in uneven temperatures between layers. Huatai’s sterilization tank design employs layered steam distribution technology, ensuring more uniform temperature and steam distribution throughout the tank, avoiding localized “dead zones,” and guaranteeing that each bunch of fruit receives thorough and uniform sterilization treatment. Combined with a PLC automatic control system, it can precisely control the temperature, pressure, and duration for each batch, ensuring process stability and repeatability.
- Waste Heat Recovery and Energy-Saving Design: The large amount of high-temperature waste steam and condensate generated during sterilization represents a significant energy waste. Huatai’s system integrates a heat recovery device, significantly reducing steam consumption throughout the palm oil mill plant and saving customers substantial operating costs.
- Process Adjustment Recommendations Based on Fruit Condition: Huatai’s engineering team provides professional guidance on adjusting sterilization process parameters based on the palm fruit variety, maturity, and post-harvest transportation time in the customer’s location, helping the palm oil processing factory achieve “tailored instruction” and reach the optimal sterilization effect with the most economical energy consumption.
Choosing Huatai: Laying the Foundation for High Oil Yield and High Quality
For a palm oil mill, oil yield and crude oil FFA content are lifelines. This is determined from the moment the fruit enters the palm oil sterilization tank. Choosing palm fruit oil equipment and processes from Henan Huatai Cereals and Oils Machinery Co., Ltd. will give you:
1) Higher oil yield: Thorough sterilization makes it easier to separate the pulp from the pit, and the oil is easier to extract.
2) Lower crude oil FFA: Preventing rancidity from the source lays a good foundation for subsequent palm oil refining and reduces refining losses.
3) More stable operation: Automated control reduces human error and ensures continuous and smooth production.
4) Lower operating costs: Highly efficient energy-saving design directly translates into considerable benefits.
Conclusion
The sterilization temperature of palm fruit is the first and most important “temperature barrier” in palm oil processing. Precisely controlling the temperature within the core range of 90℃-130℃, coupled with appropriate duration and uniform steam distribution, is the key to success. Henan Huatai Cereals and Oils Machinery Co., Ltd., with its profound understanding of processes and advanced equipment manufacturing capabilities, provides turnkey projects from single palm oil machines to complete palm oil processing plants, ensuring your factory is on the right track for efficient and high-quality production from the very beginning.
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Email: info06@cnoilmachine.com
