Export - grade soybean oil production is a complex and precise process where every step is crucial for the final product's quality. Let's embark on a journey to explore this fascinating process.
The first step in soybean oil production is the preparation and cleaning of soybeans. High - quality soybeans are carefully selected, as they are the foundation of excellent soybean oil. The soybeans are then cleaned to remove impurities such as stones, dirt, and broken beans. This step is essential as impurities can affect the oil extraction process and the quality of the final product. For example, in a large - scale soybean oil production plant, it is estimated that about 5% of the initial soybean weight is removed as impurities during the cleaning process.
After cleaning, the soybeans go through the crushing and dehulling process. Crushing the soybeans helps to break them into smaller pieces, making it easier for further processing. Dehulling is important because the hulls contain a low amount of oil and can also increase the moisture content during extraction. In a well - equipped production line, modern crushers can process up to 50 tons of soybeans per day. Once dehulled, the soybean kernels are ready for the next step.
Conditioning and flaking are crucial steps to optimize the oil extraction process. The crushed soybeans are conditioned by adjusting their moisture and temperature. This makes the soybeans more pliable for flaking. Flaking the soybeans increases the surface area, which improves the efficiency of oil extraction. Through this process, the oil extraction rate can be increased by up to 85% - 90% compared to un - flaked soybeans.
There are two main methods of oil extraction: mechanical pressing and solvent extraction. Mechanical pressing uses large - scale screw presses, like the one shown in the image below. A modern large - scale screw press can extract about 18% - 20% of the oil from soybeans in a single pass. Solvent extraction is a more efficient method that can extract up to 99% of the oil. After extraction, the crude oil is separated from the soybean meal.
The crude oil then undergoes a refining process to remove impurities, such as free fatty acids, pigments, and odors. This process includes degumming, neutralization, bleaching, and deodorization. After refining, the soybean oil meets the high - quality standards required for export. Finally, the refined oil is carefully packaged in suitable containers for storage and transportation.
In addition to soybean oil, the production process also generates valuable by - products, such as soybean meal. Soybean meal is a high - protein feed ingredient widely used in the livestock and poultry industry. Our company adheres to strict environmental and sustainable development concepts. We make full use of these by - products, reducing waste and achieving a high - efficiency resource utilization rate.
Our company is committed to strict quality control throughout the production process, using advanced technology and equipment. We ensure that every drop of soybean oil meets the highest international standards. If you are looking for high - quality export - grade soybean oil, look no further!
Contact us today to discuss your requirements and experience the excellence of our soybean oil production process!
