What Is Edible Oil Refining?

Edible oil refining is the process of removing impurities—such as free fatty acids (FFA), phospholipids, pigments, odors, and waxes—from crude vegetable oils. This is essential to meet food-grade standards and enhance oil stability, taste, color, and shelf life.

Vos offers advanced edible oil refining line engineered to turn crude vegetable oil into safe, high-quality cooking oil. With deep experience in oil processing equipment, we provide complete refining systems suitable for various oil types, including soybean oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, palm oil, and peanut oil.

Whether you're building a new oil refinery or upgrading an existing plant, Vos delivers reliable, efficient, and fully customized refining lines from 1 to 600 TPD.

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Vos Edible Oil Refining Process Flow

An edible oil refining line process includes:

1、Degumming – Removes phospholipids using hot water or acid, improving oil clarity.

2、Neutralization (Deacidification) – Alkali solution neutralizes FFA, forming soapstock for removal.

3、Decolorization / Bleaching – Activated clay absorbs pigments and impurities under vacuum.

4、Deodorization – Steam distillation removes volatile odors and improves taste under high vacuum.

5、Winterization (Optional) – Removes waxes from oils like sunflower or corn to prevent cloudiness.

6、Final Filtration & Polishing – Removes residues to ensure the oil is crystal-clear and ready for bottling.

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Advantages of Vos Oil Refining Lines

Customizable Layouts: Batch, semi-continuous, and full continuous options

High Yield: Low oil loss, consistent product quality

Energy Saving: Heat recovery systems and vacuum automation

Hygienic Design: Stainless steel, CIP capability, and food-grade pipelines

Environmental Compliance: Wastewater and gas emission control options

Turnkey Delivery: From plant design to installation and operator training

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Suitable Oil Types & Special Refining Needs

Oil Category	Typical Oils	Special Refining Needs
Common Vegetable Oils	Soybean, Rapeseed, Peanut	Degumming, Neutralization, Deodorization
Waxy or Unstable Oils	Sunflower, Corn Germ, Rice Bran	Dewaxing, Decolorization, Winterization
Physical Refining Oils	Palm Oil, Cottonseed	High-temp Deodorization, FFA Removal
Premium / Specialty Oils	Sesame, Blended Oils	Mild refining to preserve aroma & nutrients

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What’s the difference between chemical and physical refining?
A: Chemical refining removes FFA with alkali; physical refining removes it with steam. Physical refining is suitable for palm oil and rice bran oil.

Q2: What oil losses can I expect in a refining line?
A: With Vos equipment, oil loss is typically <0.3% with correct process control.

Q3: Can you integrate dewaxing or winterization units?
A: Yes, especially for sunflower, corn, or rice bran oils which require wax removal for clarity.