Solvent Extraction

We believe in providing top quality workmanship and are so confident in our level of service that we back.

Get A quote

What is Solvent Extraction

Solvent Extraction Plant is the process of extracting oil from seeds and other oil containing material by addition of a solvent. Food Grade n-Hexane which is a by-product of Petroleum is used at various stages depending on the amount of oil the seeds hold. It can be coupled with an oil extraction and be used on the leftover seed to ensure complete extraction of oil from the seed. Depending on the seed, Solvent Extraction method can be used on seeds containing around 20% of oil.

Solvent extraction consists of four main operations:

Process

Process of Muez Hest Solvent Extraction

The solvent extraction plant is a crucial industrial procedure designed to extract specific oil components or substances from oil-bearing materials using suitable solvents. The process involves several key steps:

Step 1

Preparatory

The first step of the extraction is to prepare seed or plant material correctly, which includes cleaning, cracking, dehulling, flaking, or palletizing, depending upon the oil composition. Muez Hest provides the Cooker cum Pre-conditioner for seed to the desired temperature to rupture the oil cells by steam, which make easier separation of oil from material with a solvent.

Step 2

Solvent

Hexane has been industrially utilized for a long time for solvent extraction. It has proven highly efficient and is the best oil extraction option for all oil-bearing seeds or materials.

Step 3

Extraction

The solvent extraction thoroughly penetrates the source material or mixture, and the target component dissolves into the solvent phase while the undesired components remain in the original phase. Muez Hest designed the extractor to have maximum contact with the solvent and extract maximum oil from the meal. It requires less energy and less maintenance.

Step 4

Separation

After extraction, the two phases are allowed to settle and drain hexane. Now containing the extracted substance, the solvent phase is separated from the original phase.

Step 5

Desolventization

Muez-Hest Desolventizer Toaster (DT) is a vertical cylindrical vessel with a multitude of horizontal trays, which provide efficient heating for the evaporation of hexane and condensed in a condenser and reprocessed.

Step 6

Miscella Distillation

The solvent phase, which now holds the extracted substance, undergoes further processing to separate the solvent from the extracted material. This recovery step is essential to ensure the efficient reuse of the solvent and to leave behind the concentrated extracted substance. Methods such as distillation or evaporation are commonly employed for solvent recovery.

Step 7

Product Collection

The final step involves collecting the concentrated extracted substance, which is now in a form suitable for further processing or utilization in various industries.

The solvent extraction plant process is highly versatile and is the extraction of edible oils from oilseeds. The success of a solvent extraction plant process hinges on factors like the choice of the suitable solvent, process optimization, and adherence to safety and environmental standards.