Refined oil is manufactured through a process that involves treating heated oil with various bleaching agents to remove impurities and improve color. This process is crucial for producing oil suitable for consumption and various industrial applications.
Here's a breakdown of the refining process:
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Heating: The crude oil is heated. This reduces its viscosity, making it easier to process.
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Bleaching: The heated oil is then treated with bleaching agents. Common bleaching agents include:
- Earth powder
- Activated carbon
- Activated clays
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Impurity Absorption: The bleaching agents absorb various impurities present in the oil. Key impurities removed during this step include:
- Chlorophyll
- Carotenoid pigments
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Filtration: After the absorption process, the bleaching agents, now laden with impurities, are removed from the oil through filtration.
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Result: The resulting oil is lighter in color and free from many of the undesirable impurities that affect taste, smell, and shelf life.
In summary, the refining process employs bleaching and filtration to remove impurities, resulting in a more palatable and stable oil product.
