Physical refining is a modern alternative for processing crude palm oil where

the removal of free fatty acid is by distillation at higher temperature and low
vacuum.
This replaces chemical reaction mode using an alkali (caustic soda) in
chemical
refining. The advantages of this physical refining method over the chemical
refining
method of palm oil refinery are;
Better yields
High Quality of fatty acids as by-products
Good oil stability
Simultaneous distillation of fatty acids and deodorization
Lower cost of equipment
Simplicity of operation
Degumming Process
The main objective of this degumming is to remove the unwanted gums,
which will interfere the stability of the oil products in later stage. The
objective is
achieved by treating the crude palm oil (CPO) with the specified quantity of
food
grade acid normally phosphoric or citric acid of certain concentration.
The main component of contained in the gums, which has to be removed, is
phosphatide. It is vital to remove the phosphatides content in the crude oil
because
the presence of this component will impart undesirable flavor and color, and
shorten
the shelf life of oil. The phosphatides emulsifying action is the main culprit
that
causes the oxidative instability of the crude palm oil (CPO).
In this unit operation, the incoming crude palm oil is first heated up to a
temperature of about 90oC - 110oC before it is treated with phosphoric acid.
The
dosage of phosphoric acid normally used is within the range of 0.05 0.1 %
of oil
weight with acid concentration approximately about 80 - 85 %. It is meant to
decompose the non-hydratable phosphatides as well as to coagulate the
phosphatides
making them insoluble and thus easily removed during bleaching.
Excessive amount of phosphoric acid are need to be avoided as it may cause
rise in phosphorus acid and this excessiveness may be difficult to be
removed and
contribute to further refining problems.
Bleaching Process
During bleaching process in palm oil refinery, degummed oil is treated with

bleaching earth and heated up to a temperature of about 100oC before

entering the
vacuum bleacher. The dosage of acid activated clay used is typically within
the
range of 0.5 2.0 % by weight of oil and the contact time with continuous
agitation
is about 30 minutes.
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During this stage, trace metal complexes such as iron and copper, pigments,
phosphatides and oxidation products are removed by adsorptive effect of the
bleaching earth. Any residual of phosphoric acid are removed during this
stage too.
The bleached oil is then filtered on industrial filters such as plate and frame
filter
press or vertical leaf pressure filter.
2.5.2.2 Deodorisation
The filtered oil (DBPO) is then channelled into the deodorizer for the
deacidification and deodorisation treatment. This process utilises a
combination of
high temperature heating approximately about 240 - 260oC, under vacuum
(2 - 4
mmHg) and direct steam injection of about 2.5 - 4.0 % by weight of oil
(Leong,
1992).
During this deodorization process, free fatty acid (FFA) in the form of palm
fatty acid distillate (PFAD) is removed as refining waste, at the upper section
of
deodorizer. Apart from FFA, carotenoids pigments, primary and secondary
oxidation
products are also being removed as it may contribute to off-flavours. The
deodorised
oil is then cooled before it is filtered by means of a polishing filter and sent to
storage tanks.