The removal of phospholipid from crude rapeseed oil by enzyme-membrane binding

Abstract

Membrane technology has unique advantages over centrifugal equipment and has been widely applied. In this work, the hydrophobic ceramic membranes were used to remove phospholipid micelles from crude rapeseed oil, and their fouling mechanism, control, cleaning and influence on oil quality were investigated. The results of four different treatments showed that enzyme-membrane binding was the most effective degumming method. The flux performance can meet the needs of small-scale oil production. Concentration experimental results showed that the fouling mechanism was a combination of intermediate blockage and cake. Although increasing pressure, temperature, concentration, flow rate, and pore size could all reduce available area and increase resistance, the effects of TMP and pore size are the most significant in these factors. Non-cleaning resistance was very small under all conditions, and increasing transmembrane pressure and pore size promoted non-cleaning resistance. Increasing temperature and cross-flow velocity significantly reduced the resistance of cleanable pollution. In terms of membrane fouling control, the critical and threshold transmembrane pressures of the large-pore membrane were lower than those of the small-pore membrane and decreased with increasing concentration. Fouled membranes can be cleaned and restored by oil without phospholipid micelles, and the flux recovery rate of the membranes can exceed 85% after 10 reuses. The membranes removed phospholipids and water and were beneficial for decreasing free fatty acids and peroxide values. Therefore, the enzyme-membrane binding can be considered for gradual use in the production of small-scale oil.