Pressed and extracted crude oil have to undergo a refining 2.

Measurement setup
process to edible oil. Real-time information regarding the
composition of crude oil is essential to find the optimal
conditions for the next refining steps.
With the installation of a BUCHI NIR-Online® process
analyzer prior to degumming, the composition of crude oil
is monitored and documented in a fast, simple and reliable
way.
BUCHI NIR-Online® process analyzer: X-Three (NIR+VIS)
Wavelength range: 400-1700 nm
Measurement principle: Transflection
Interface to process: X-Cell (flow cell) with a suitable path
length adapter (2-5 mm)

1. Introduction
Vegetable crude oil obtained by pressing and/or extraction
from seeds such as soybean, rapeseed, sunflower, and
many others contains various unwanted components such
as phosphorus (bound to phospholipids), pigments, wax,
and volatile particles causing undesirable color and flavor.
For this reason, crude oil should be refined before use for
edible purposes. The refining process has mainly four
steps: degumming, bleaching, winterization and
deodorization (Fig. 1). In order to find the optimal
Figure 2. NIR-Online analyzer connected to flow cell
conditions for these steps and to obtain high quality edible
oil as final product, knoweledge of the initial composition of
crude oil is mandatory. 3. Results

Parameters like free fatty acids [1] and iodine value [2] are The BUCHI NIR-Online® process analyzer yields precise
generally analyzed using standardized chemical methods. and accurate measurements of the following relevant
Nevertheless, these methods are designed for analysis of process parameters (Table 1).
only one specific parameter, are time-consuming and Table 1. Calibration performance.
deliver results to the process manager with time delay.
Parameter Range SEC
The implementation of a BUCHI NIR-Online® process
analyzer prior the degumming step (Fig. 1) provides full Phosphorus (mg/kg) 58-682 20
characterization of the crude oil. Within milli-seconds,
Free fatty acids (%) 0.49-1.67 0.03
several parameters (see Table 1) are continuously,
simultaneously and accurately measured. Iodine value (% I2) 95-135 0.50
®
This application note reports the BUCHI NIR-Online Moisture (%) 0.1-0.8 0.03
process analyzer performance to determine the
SEC. Standard error of calibration (absolute)
compostion of crude oil.
Others parameters can be measured in addition such
Crude oil as peroxide value, Lovibond color and saponification
BUCHI NIR-Online® value.
process analyzer
4. Conclusion
Degumming
Results clearly show that a NIR-Online process analyzer
equipped with an X-Cell is able to simultaneously measure
Bleaching multiple parameters of crude oil. Online measurements are
obtained in real-time, thus allowing a rapid and effective
decision making for the next refining steps, leading to
Winterization
minimal loss of time and costs.

5. References
Deodorization
[1] ISO 660:2009. Animal and vegetable fats and oils-
Determination of acid value and acidity.

Edible oil [2] ISO 3961:2013. Animal and vegetable fats and oils-
Determination of iodine value.
Figure 1. Crude oil refining process

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