Degumming & Neutralization

Degumming

Degumming and neutralization are essential upstream refining operations designed to remove phosphatides, free fatty acids (FFA), trace metals, and other colloidal impurities from crude vegetable oils. These impurities negatively impact oil stability, increase refining losses, interfere with downstream bleaching and deodorization, and promote thermal degradation and color formation.
DVC’s degumming and neutralization systems are engineered for high separation efficiency, low oil loss, and stable continuous operation across a wide range of vegetable oils.
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Process Selection Based on Crude Oil Characteristics

Process configuration is selected based on phosphatide composition, FFA level, metal content, and desired refined oil quality.

Low FFA, high phosphatide oils

  • Water Degumming
  • Alkali Neutralization
  • Water Washing

High FFA Crude Oils

  • Total Degumming (Acid + Alkali)
  • Water Washing

Water Degumming – Unit Operation

Water degumming process followed in case of oils such as soy & sunflower oil which contains higher levels of hydratable phospholipids which of prime importance for food & pharma industries.

Here in this process, controlled emulsion hydration of hydratable phospholipids by dosing equivalent  amount of process water into the crude oil stream by optimized uniform distribution using efficient mixers followed by retention. Hydrated phosphatides lose oil solubility and form discrete agglomerates.

Key operations include:

  • High-shear mixing with controlled emulsification for uniform hydration
  • Controlled temperature to optimize gum precipitation High-speed centrifugal separation to remove hydrated gums from main product
  • Non-hydratable phosphatides (complexed with calcium and magnesium) are conditioned using phosphoric acid converting them into hydratable forms.

Neutralization – Alkali Refining

Neutralization is performed by metered addition of caustic soda solution to acid-conditioned oil. Free fatty acids react with alkali to form soap stock, while residual phosphatides and trace metals are co-precipitated.

Process characteristics:

  • Precise lye concentration and dosing control
  • Optimized reaction time and temperature
  • Efficient centrifugal separation of soap phase
  • Reduced entrainment losses through controlled hydrodynamics
This stage significantly improves oil purity and prepares the oil for downstream bleaching and deodorization

Modified degumming processes

Total Degumming – High Gum & High FFA Oils
Total degumming is a combined chemical treatment process designed for oils with elevated phosphatide and FFA levels. Phosphoric or citric acid is first dispersed into the oil using a high-intensity mixer, followed by a controlled contact time to convert non-hydratable gums.
Subsequently, caustic lye is introduced to neutralize FFAs and destabilize remaining phospholipid complexes. The treated oil is retained for sufficient reaction time before high-efficiency centrifugal separation removes gums, soap stock, and associated impurities.
  • Acid Degumming: Used when crude oil contains significant NHP, Acid converts NHP into hydratable forms, Enables effective removal.
  • Total Degumming: Combines acid and water degumming in sequence, Ensures removal of both hydratable and non-hydratable phosphatides, Produces oil with very low residual phosphorus content, Preferred when high-purity oil is required for further refining.
  • Enzymatic Degumming: Employs enzymes to break down phosphatides, Benefits: Higher oil yield, fewer low-value by-products, Advanced, efficient method.
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Process & Equipment Design Features

  • High-shear mixers for rapid and uniform reagent dispersion
  • Optimized retention vessels for controlled reaction kinetics
  • Appropriate centrifugal separators for efficient phase separation
  • Combi-plant configuration for lye refining and total degumming
  • Low utility and chemical consumption.
  • Minimal neutral oil losses through optimized process control

Advantages :

  • Optimized main stream product and reagent contact due to high shear mixing, with controlled emulsion.
  • Optimal phosphatide removal efficiency
  • Long-mix Neutralisation process effects Reduced Oil losses and excess caustic lye consumption
  • Improved neutral oil quality can help to avoid water washing stage by usage soap adsorption reagent (silica)
  • Reduced effluent water discharge