Larox Offers Multiple Solid-Liquid Separation Solutions for the Processing of Edible Oils
10 November 2008
Larox has successfully delivered multiple solid-liquid separation solutions for dry fractionation and solvent fractionation of vegetable oils, as well as other areas in the processing of edible oils, including oil bleaching and fish oil recovery.
Solvent fractionation
The Pannevis GT filter offers the capability of carrying out continuous separation, followed by multi-step counter-current washing using solvents in a totally enclosed environment, thus making it the preferred equipment choice for the olein-stearin separation of vegetable oils such as palm kernel or shea nut. The Pannevis GT filter operates with a small internal over-pressure of nitrogen in the housing. The nitrogen is continuously re-circulated around the filter circuit so that all components, including receivers and pumps, are totally inert. A very small make-up of nitrogen is required to compensate for the gas exiting with the filter cake.
Large windows in the sidewalls and lights on the roof ensure complete visibility of the process inside the housing. The housing is designed to ensure all internal surfaces are easily cleaned and self draining. Clean-in-place (CIP) is a standard option and the basic design is suitable for sanitary processes as all dead spots are eliminated, windows and nozzles are sloped to drain back into the housing, and internal surfaces can easily be polished to any specified level.
Continuous filter cloth cleaning eliminates cross contamination and guarantees 100% product recovery. Cloth wash liquid can be recycled over the filter cake, assuring total solids capture and minimizing the consumption of fresh liquid. When operating with solvent, the filters meet all the requirements of ATEX 95 category two.
Dry fractionation
With over 75 installations in dry fractionation of palm oil, the Hoesch membrane filter press is a recognized leader in the marketplace. The newest range of Hoesch presses introduced in 2007 are designed to meet the latest regulations and codes, and are able to work with operating pressures up to 30 bar, with filters plates sizes up to 2,000mm x 2,000mm.
At the same time, the presses continue to offer all the well-known advantages of the proprietary Hoesch filter plate and membrane design, thus ensuring that Hoesch presses continue to be the leader in the field. The Hoesch plate has a center feed with a distribution and supporting ring for optimized distribution of the slurry. The central port is of a size to reduce the velocity during distribution and prevent the cake from being washed away around the feed port. It also ensures equal cake distribution in all directions. This eliminates the potential for tapered cakes (thicker at the bottom than at the top).
The replaceable rubber membrane is made from EPDM. It is easily exchanged without the need of any special tools and can be done without removing the plate from the press. The use of a rubber membrane allows so-called “empty-chamber” operation. If only partial chamber filling or no filling of individual chambers occurs, the rubber membrane does not suffer any damage and can still follow any shape the filter cake takes.
Hoesch membrane filter presses are also used for oil bleaching applications and for fish oil separation from fish meal.
Larox is committed to helping its clients meet the following goals:
- Reduced lifetime production costs – especially energy based costs
- Improved product quality, value and consistency
- Improved safety, health and environmental performance
- Improved yield and productivity
