Effect of feed particle size and solvent flow rate on soybean oil
extraction in a percolation type extractor
Abstract
The influence of particle size and solvent flow rate on the kinetics of
oil extraction from soybean (eight fractions from 0.433 to 0.122 mm) was
studied using hexane, simulating commercial percolation type extractor.
The reduction in particle size from 0.433 mm to 0.141 mm showed an
increase in the oil extractability. However, further reduction to 0.129
mm and 0.122 mm affected the extractability due to bed compaction,
reducing porosity and contact area. The extractability (21.5%) of the
ground mass was similar to the major mass fractions (0.239 - 0.353mm).
The rate of extraction increased drastically with the solvent flow rate.
The highest flow rate (9.67 mL/min) exhibited the highest mass transfer
coefficient (km) 1.27×10-3 s-1 and the diffusion coefficient (De)
1.77×10-12m2/s. At 7.33 mL/min, the yield and the rate of extraction
were optimal and no potential benefits were obtained at higher flow
rates.