Processing of Edible Oil

(Palm Oil)
CHAPTER 3
3.3 : Bleaching
 Learning outcomes

• Students should be able to

• Concepts of decolorization of an oil or fat
• Describe removal of pigment such as carotenoids,
chlorophyll, residue phospatides, soaps, trace metal,
hyrdoperodxides and non volatile matter.

3
 Introduction To Bleaching

• Edible oil bleaching can’t used air or chemicals

• Using solid absorbents such as bleaching earth or
activated charcoal

4
 Adsorption Theory for Bleaching
Bleaching is an adsorptive process. Adsorption is a physical
chemical phenomenon that involves mass transport of an
adsorbate (solute adsorbed) from the solution phase to the
adsorbent surface.
Depending on the chemical and physical properties of both
the compounds to be adsorbed and the adsorbent, the
adsorption process may proceed through the following
mechanisms: physical adsorption, in which van der Waals
forces between molecules hold the adsorbed species on the
adsorbent; and chemisorption, where a chemical bond is
formed between the adsorbate and the adsorbent (3).
5
 Adsorption Theory for bleaching

• Decomposition and dehydration, or

pseudoneutralization of peroxides during the oil-
bleaching process, have been also reported

6
 Adsorption Theory for Bleaching

When thermodynamic equilibrium is reached between the

solution and the ad-sorbent, no further net adsorption
occurs.
Equilibrium is governed by the concentrations and
properties of adsorbent and adsorbate, and the
temperature, viscosity, and pH of the system. Several
models (i.e., those of Langmuir, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller,
and Freundlich) have been developed to describe
adsorption equilibrium
7
 Adsorption Theory for Bleaching

The isotherm for this favourable adsorption process is Langmuir

Isotherm. The assumption made when deriving the Langmuir
isotherm is that the process happens at uniform surface. However
this relation only works well for gases that a weakly adsorbed
(McCabe, 1993).
For adsorption from liquids, Freundlich isotherm is applicable. This
isothermis of the strongly favourable type. Bleaching of palm oil
falls under this type of isotherms as the bleaching process are
involving liquids (oils). The equation for Freundlich isotherm for
bleaching process can be illustrated as per below (Rossi et al., 2003);
8
 Adsorption Theory for Bleaching
Follow Freundlich’s Adsorption Isotherm:
The amount of pigment adsorbed decrease
with decreasing concentration of pigment in the
oil
In practice the adsorbents is mixed up with the
oil in the stir vessel.

where x is the amount of pigment adsorbed, m is

the amount of adsorbent, and c is the amount of
residual pigment still in solution (K and n are
constants related to adsorptive properties of the 9

bleaching clay).
Languir
Isotherm

Freundlich
Isotherm

10
 Bleaching
Selection of the bleaching’s process and adsorbent
depending on:
Pretreatment
Desired quality of product
Filtration speed
Oil retention by adsorbent
Can be 50 wt % on bleaching earth
Can be 100 wt % on charcoal
11
 Bleaching
Bleaching earth can be classified:
Natural
Activated
Natural bleaching earth-aluminum silicates contains
montmorillonite [(Mg0.33, Al1.67) Si4O10(OH)2]Na0.33 ]
Activated-leaching natural agent by HCL, washing with
water, drying and sizing.
This will increase internal surface of bleaching earth by
partial dissolution of the aluminium and iron oxides

12
 Bleaching
• Condition of the process(optimum)
• Lower concentration of gum( 0.5-1.0 %) used
activated
• Possibility oxidize oil
• Temp: 100°C
• Pressure: vacuum
• Limited Oxygen

13
 Bleaching

• Normally performed at two stages:

• 1st :Conditioning and adsorption at relative low
temperature 65°C
• 2nd :Elevated temperature 100°C
• Physical refining concept use: citric acid or
phosphoric acid to chelate (attract) trace metals and
to precipitated hydrated phospatides.
14
 Bleaching

• Activated Charcoal:
• 0.1 to 0.4 % plus bleaching earth use for hard
oils/fats.
• Work as absorbent by removed polycyclic
aromatic hydrogen from oils or fats.

15
 Bleaching

• Most of bleaching done:

• Continuous
• Batch

• As example of the process and sample in four slides

after this.

16
 Bleaching…
 BLEACH - 9 : ACTIVATED BLEACHING EARTH/FULLAR' S EARTH
It is a porous colloidal aluminium silicate having excellent adsorption power. It is
light coloured powder insoluble in acids with adsorption capacity that can adsorb
2 to 4 times its weight of water.
SPECIFICATION
(A) PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS :  1. General appearance : Free flowing
powder.2. Colour : Cream - White.3. Particle Size : Passing through 
    100 mesh : Min 65 %
    150 mesh : Max 5 %4. Bulk Density : 0.43 - 0.48 gm/cc (B) CHEMICAL
CHARACTERISTICS : 1. Moisture : 5% Max.2. PH 2% Slurry : 3.5-4.03. Bleaching
activity & Filtration rate. : Consistently comparable with international standards.
APPLICATION

 It can be effectively used for decolouration and deodorisation of vegetable oils. It

selectively desorbs the rancid odour of the oil leaving smell typical to the oil
intact.
 It is economical because its oil retention is maximum 5% during filtration with leaf
filter. It can also be used for clarification of luboils. It is an effective filter medium.
It can also be used as a carrier of insecticides. It finds used as a filter in rubber
compound, in cosmetics, floor sweeping compounds. It can also be used as carrier
for catalysts

17
 Bleaching
Bleaching Heater before entering the Adsorbent Mix Tank
where it is mixed with a special soap and gum attracting
adsorbent (silica).
The oil and adsorbent mixture enters the Prefiltration Dryer
where the moisture in the oil and adsorbent is evaporated.
The dry oil and adsorbent mixture is filtered in one of the
three Adsorbent Filters removing the spent adsorbent.
This filter has previously been used to separate bleaching
earth and already has a layer (“packed bed”) of earth on the
leaves that is still active.

18
 Bleaching

This first filtration results in a “press effect” that starts

the bleaching process (Pre-Bleaching) before fresh
earth has been added.
 When combined with the silica treatment, this
reduces earth consumption by as much as 50%. In cases
when the special adsorbents are not available, the Mix
Tank and Discharge Pump are simply by-passed.
 Most of the savings from Pre-Bleaching are still
realized. The filtered oil is further heated in the
Bleaching

19
 Bleaching
Heater before entering the Bleacher where it is
mixed with bleaching earth. The earth adsorbs
pro-oxidants, color bodies and other residual
impurities.
The Bleacher has multiple agitated
compartments and also operates under vacuum to
ensure complete moisture and air removal. The oil
and earth mixture is filtered in another one of the
three Adsorbent Filters.
The bleached and filtered oil is sent to
intermediate storage via one of the alternating
Polish Filters and, typically, an economizer located
upstream in degumming or neutralizing.

20
 Bleaching
The system includes three filters of which two are on
line (one for adsorbent and pre-bleaching, the other
for bleaching earth) while the third is being cleaned
and prepared for the next cycle. A filter begins its cycle
by filtering oil from the Bleacher.
When a layer of earth has been accumulated on the
filter leaves, the flow from the Bleacher is switched to
a fresh filter. The partially filled filter, now with a
“packed bed” of bleaching earth, is then ready to be
used for removing adsorbent as described above.
When the filter that is on line for this purpose has
reached its maximum capacity it is taken off line for
cleaning and replaced by the next partially filled filter

21
22
 Bleaching Image

BEFORE AFTER
23
24
Figure 3: Effect of Bleaching Time on Oil Colour, Peroxide Value
(PV) and Free Fatty Acid (FFA)
25
Figure 4: Effect of Bleaching Temperature on Oil Colour
26
Figure 4: Effect of Bleaching Temperature on Free Fatty Acid
(FFA) 27
Figure 5: Effect of Bleaching Temperature on PV and
AV of Palm Oil 28
Figure 6: Effect of Bleaching Dosage on Colour of Palm Oil 29
Figure 7: Effect of Bleaching Dosage on PV and AV of 30

Palm Oil
Figure 8: Effect of Bleaching Dosage on Phosphorus Content
of Palm Oil 31
32