Crown Iron Works provides equipment to process a variety of edible and inedible oilseeds. Although each oilseed is unique, the processing of each is similar.
Preparation
The first step in processing most oilseeds is to properly prepare the seed for oil removal. This step typically involves using magnets to remove metal and screening to remove impurities that can interfere with the process. Next, the seed is heated to condition the seed prior to mechanical rollers. The mechanical rollers are used to make thin flakes and rupture the cells containing the oil. Finally, the seed is heated again and dried prior to mechanical pressing. Mechanical pressing removes approximately half to three quarters of the oil prior to solvent extraction. Some oilseeds can skip this pressing step.
Extraction
The seed is mechanically pressed (pre-pressed) to extract approximately half to three quarters of the available oil so that the solvent extraction can be run more efficiently. This is typical for seeds containing more than 20% oil. The solvent extraction process uses hexane or other solvents to wash the oil from the prepared flakes. The design of the equipment varies so that Crown can optimize the amount of solvent and bed depth needed to efficiently wash the flakes, the contact time of the solvent and flakes, and the power and utilities needed to run the equipment. Oilseeds are usually processed with the Model III Extractor.
Desolventizing
Once the oil has been removed by the solvent, the solvent must be removed from both the flakes and the oil. For the flakes, heat and steam are used to strip and recover the residual solvent. For the oil, a distillation system is used to recover the solvent. The desolventized flakes are now a product and ready for sale as a good source of protein. The oil can be further processed from a crude product to an refined product.
Oil Refining and Processing
Extracted and desolventized oil must be further processed to make a refined product. Oils are refined to improve the flavor, odor, color and stability using processes that degum, neutralize, bleach and deodorizethe oil. These refining processes remove contaminants such as phosphatides, free fatty acids and pro-oxidants.
Further processing of oils and fats is sometimes desired. Some oils are winterized or dewaxed and some are modified to change melting characteristics. Byproducts may be further processed to create value-added products or reduce costs.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel derived from fats and oils. Although any source of fat can be used, oilseeds play a major part in this industry.
Oleochemicals
There is a significant number of oleochemicals made from the byproducts of oilseed processing. Whether it’s glycerin from a biodiesel plant or fatty acids from a fat hydrolysis plant, Crown offers many different processes to add value to these fat byproducts.