Bleaching Of Palm Oil Using Activated Charcoal
The process of palm oil bleaching, employing activated charcoal, is a sophisticated technique crucial for refining the quality of the oil. Activated charcoal, a highly porous carbonaceous material, serves as an effective adsorbent in this context. During the bleaching process, the activated charcoal selectively absorbs impurities, pigments, and contaminants present in the crude palm oil, enhancing its color and purity. This method plays a pivotal role in ensuring the final product meets stringent quality standards, aligning with the ever-evolving demands of the palm oil industry. The activated charcoal’s absorptive properties enable the removal of undesirable elements, contributing to the production of high-quality palm oil with improved clarity and reduced levels of unwanted substances. As sustainability and quality become increasingly central in the palm oil sector, the use of activated charcoal emerges as a strategic and nuanced approach to refining this vital agricultural product.
This project work is on the bleaching of palm oil using activated charcoal.
The charcoal used for this work was made from pieces of animal bone by carbonization method. It was then activated into two different samples. Firstly, the basic sample was activated using anaphoric acid (H2 s04) while the other was activated by just heating as a control for the experiment; both at a constant temperature of 5000c and approximate time of 2hours.
They were both size reduced into fines and sieved into particle 3ye of 150um portion of the crude palm oil was degummed and neutralized for bleaching. Each interval of bleaching with both the acid activated and the ordinary activated charcoal was 8mins and temperature of 1500c over a hot plate, and subsequent filtration of the solution.
A spectrophotometer was used to measure the absorbance of the oils (crude and bleached) at selected wave length of 480Um. This was converted as the degree of colour reduction expressed in percentages.
Results obtained showed that optimum quantity of the charcoal for bleaching is 5% by weight, of the oil, which gives a percentage colour reduction as 97. 14% for the acid activated and 93.57% for the calcinated sample.
Also, the characterization of both the original oil and the bleaching oil showed that the later has appreciable properties. Hence colour reduction was observable by naked eyes.
Title Page
Approval Page
Letter of Transmittal
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Chapter one
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Preamble
1.2 Objective
1.3 Scope of study
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review
2.1.0 Chemical composition of palm oil
2.1.1 Carotenes
2.1.2 Phosphatides
2.1.3 Gums
2.1.4 Compositions and standards of palm oil
2.2.0 Spoilage factors of palm oil
2.2.1 Preventive measures
2.2.2 Inhibitors
2.3.0 Refining of creebe palm oil
2.3.1 Degumming
2.3.2 Neutralization
2.3.3 Bleaching
2.3.4 Deodorization
2.3.5 Chemical bleaching method
2.3.6 Accretion bleaching
2.3.7 Bleaching by adsorption
2.4.0 Adsorption
2.4.1 Uses of adsorption
2.5.2 Physical adsorption
2.5.2 Chemisorptions
2.6.0 Adsorbents
2.6.1 Bauxite
2.6.2 Decolourising carbons
2.6.3 Gas-adsorbent carbon
2.6.4 Molecular screening activated carbon
2.6.5 Synthetic polymeric adsorbents
2.6.6 Silica Gel
2.6.7 Alumna
2.6.8 Bone char.
2.7.0 Charcoal
2.7.1 Properties of charcoal
2.7.2 Activated charcoal
2.7.3 Methods of charcoal activation
2.7.4 Properties of activated charcoal
2.7.5 Chemical properties of activated charcoal
2.7.6 Physical properties of activated charcoal
2.7.7 Uses of activated charcoal
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Experimental method
3.1.0 Materials
3.1.1 Material treatment
3.2.0 Charcoal activation using acid
3.2.1 Charcoal activation by heat treatment
3.3.0 Degumming of Palm oil
3.3.1 Neutralization
3.4.0 Bleaching of palm oil
3.4.1 Experimental set-up
3.5.0 Characterization of palm oil
3.5.1 Specific gravity
3.5.2 Iodine value
3.5.3 Free fatty acid
3.5.4 Saponification value
3.5.5 Esterification value
3.5.6 Process flow chart
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Experimental result
4.1.0 Effect of bleaching sample
4.2.0 Effect of temperature on bleaching
4.3.0 Colour observation at absorbance
4.4.0 Concise table for characterization
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Discussion
CHAPTER SIX
6.0 Conclusion
CHAPTER SEVEN
7.0 Recommendation
References
Table of nomenclature
Appendices
INTRODUCTION
1.1 PREAMBLE
Palm oil is one of the various types of vegetable oils, belonging to the group called liquids, because of its fatty acids content.
The majority of the fats contains some colouring matter either as a natural constituent or discoloration produced during the processing. Natural pigments present in vegetable oils are mainly the carotenoid, giving yellow and red colours, and the chlorophylls which give green colours. Colour deterioration can also take place during the extraction process, especially in the local method of extraction used in the most parts of the Eastern region in Nigeria.
Removal or reduction of colours and other components, otherwise called ‘Bleaching” is necessary not only because a pale-coloured fat has an appeal of ‘purity’ but also because the colours of the fat can influence the appearance of prepared food and even more importantly, the pigment present may affect the flavour and stability of the fats and food made from it.
The decolouration (bleaching) could be achieved by chemical treatment, heat treatment and adsorption methods. The most effective and widely used being the later. Thus, in this research project, bleaching by adsorption is carred out using an “Activated charcoal” (an adsorbent), a kind of active carbon, to substitute the use of local clays and the imported ‘Fuller’s Earth – in Palm Oil bleaching, which are rather expensive.
The charcoal can be produced from different sources as from, coal, wood, bone, coconut shell, etc. It would be verified the most suitable form and type of charcoal for effective bleaching and the most favourable condition at which the “activated charcoal could be used, which in them affects the bleach ability’ of the Palm oil itself.
1.2 OBJECTIVE
The objective / aim of this research project is to verify the effectiveness of ‘Activated charcoal’ in the bleaching of palm oil. It will also expose the improvement in the use of local raw material (charcoal) in a chemical process (bleaching), in lien of the imported fuller’s Earth or other adsorbents which more expensive.
1.3 SCORE OF THE STUDY
Basically, this, study dwells on the colours reduction of Palm oil, using an Activated charcoal as an adsorbent (bleaching agent). The major raw materials, Palm oil and charcoal were locally sourced, and information as regards the process were obtained form the literary and other resourceful materials (texts) that treats ‘Adsorption’ as a chemical process.
Bleaching Of Palm Oil Using Activated Charcoal:
Bleaching of palm oil using activated charcoal is a common process in the palm oil industry to remove impurities, color pigments, and other undesirable substances from crude palm oil. This process helps improve the quality and appearance of palm oil, making it suitable for various food and industrial applications. Here’s how the bleaching process using activated charcoal works:
Materials Needed:
Crude Palm Oil: This is the unrefined palm oil obtained from palm fruits.
Activated Charcoal: Activated charcoal, also known as activated carbon, is a porous material made from organic sources, such as coconut shells, wood, or other carbon-rich materials. It is activated through a heating process, which creates a network of pores that can adsorb impurities.
Bleaching Vessel: A vessel or tank where the bleaching process takes place.
Filtering Equipment: To separate the activated charcoal from the bleached palm oil.
Clay: In some cases, clay may be added along with activated charcoal to enhance the bleaching process.
Steam or Heat Source: To maintain the temperature required for the process.
Steps in the Bleaching Process:
Preparation: The crude palm oil is first heated to a specific temperature (usually around 95-100°C) to reduce its viscosity and make it easier to handle.
Activation of Charcoal: Activated charcoal is activated by heating it to a high temperature. This activation process creates a porous structure with a large surface area, which is essential for adsorbing impurities.
Mixing: The activated charcoal is then mixed with the heated crude palm oil in the bleaching vessel. Clay may also be added at this stage to enhance the bleaching effect. The mixture is stirred thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
Bleaching: The activated charcoal acts as an adsorbent, attracting and trapping impurities and color pigments present in the crude palm oil. This process typically takes a certain amount of time, during which the mixture is maintained at a specific temperature.
Filtration: After the bleaching process is complete, the mixture is passed through a filtering system to separate the activated charcoal and clay from the now-bleached palm oil. The filtering equipment can consist of filter presses, filter aids, or other suitable filtration methods.
Deodorization (Optional): In some cases, palm oil may undergo a deodorization process to remove any remaining odors or volatile compounds. This step is particularly important for palm oil intended for culinary use.
Packaging: The final bleached and deodorized palm oil is then packaged for distribution and sale.
Activated charcoal is widely used in the palm oil industry because of its effectiveness in removing impurities and improving the quality of the oil. However, it’s essential to monitor and control various parameters during the process, such as temperature, mixing time, and the quality of the activated charcoal used, to achieve the desired results.