Refining of Crude Canola Oil using PSA Ultrafiltration Membrane

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to study the behavior of spiral wound configuration of polysulfone amide (PSA) membrane with 20 kDa molecular weight cut off (MWCO) in pilot-plant scale equipment used for refining micella canola oil under different operating conditions. Refining process parameters including phospholipids (PLs), color and free fatty acids (FFAs) were measured to express retentions (R%) and the permeate flux, membrane fouling and hydraulic resistances were determined to analyze the ultrafiltration process performance. The results showed that the permeate flux was decreased considerably with increasing process time, although it was increased by increasing temperature from 30 to 50˚C and transmembrane pressure from 1.5 to 2 bar. The irreversible fouling resistance (Rif) and percentage of fouling were decreased as the temperature or transmembrane pressure increased. The concentration polarization resistance (Rrf) was much higher than other resistances; therefore reversible resistance had an important role in total hydraulic resistance. The retention of PLs, FFAs and color was so interesting since it can improve greatly the efficiency of oil refining process. The retention of PLs and FFAs was increased by temperature and decreased by transmembrane pressure and time; however, there was no significant difference in removing color under different operating conditions.