Rice Bran Oil Machine | Pretreatment to Refining

Introduction

Rice bran oil, as an important by-product of rice processing, is rich in gluten, vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids, and is known as a "healthy oil".

The efficient extraction of rice bran oil relies on specialized equipment - rice bran oil machine. This equipment through the pressing or solvent extraction technology, separates rice bran oil and fat, refining into edible oil.

In this article, we will provide depth introduction to rice bran oil machines, the oil extraction process and prices, as well as our leading solutions in the field of rice bran oil extraction.

What Machines Are Used in Rice Bran Oil Extraction?

A complete set of rice bran oil production line contains the following core equipments, each link synergizes to ensure efficient oil production and product quality:

Rice Bran Cleaning Machine

Used for removing impurities (such as broken rice, dust, rice husk, gravel) in rice bran. Through the vibrating screen, magnetic separator and other equipment, to ensure the purity of raw materials, to avoid the subsequent equipment wear and tear.

Rice Bran Puffing Machine (Extruder)

Rice bran puffing machine involves heating and pressing rice bran to rupture oil cells, improving oil release.

The puffing process can destroy the cell structure of rice bran, enhance the solvent permeability, and increase the oil yield to 18%-22%. After puffing, rice bran is granular, more favorable for solvent uniform contact.

Rice Bran Oil Solvent Extraction Machine

The solvent extraction method (commonly used n-hexane or butane) can extract more than 95% of oil and fat in rice bran. It is the mainstream way of industrialized production.

The equipment includes solvent extraction, desolventizing system, evaporator and condensation recovery device, realizing solvent recycling and reducing production cost.

Rice Bran Oil Refining Machine

Crude rice bran oil needs degumming, deacidification, deodorization and dewaxing to remove impurities and odor. Refining equipments such as centrifuge, decolorization tower, deodorization tank, etc., producing edible-grade oil.

Other auxiliary equipment: magnetic separator and softening machine in pretreatment, and filling machine in packaging line, which together form an efficient production line.

For small-scale operations, a mini rice bran oil machine focusing on mechanical pressing may be sufficient. Larger setups require solvent extraction and refining equipment for maximum efficiency.

What Is the Process of Rice Bran Oil Extraction?

The extraction of rice bran oil involves three primary stages: pretreatment, solvent extraction, and refining. Each stage is critical to achieving high oil yield and quality.

Step 1: Rice Bran Pretreatment

Pretreatment prepares rice bran for efficient oil extraction. It includes:

1. Cleaning: Removes impurities using vibrating screen and magnetic separator, protect equipment and improve oil quality.
2. Conditioning: Adjusts moisture content (7% - 8%) to optimize the bran for puffing.
3. Puffing: Extrudes the bran to inactivate lipase enzymes and break down its structure. Forming porous structure after puffing to improve the leaching efficiency. (Read more about: rice bran extrusion extruder >>)

Step 2: Rice Bran Oil Solvent Extraction

After pretreatment and mechanical pressing (for larger plants), the rice bran cake undergoes solvent extraction:

Solvent infiltration: puffed rice bran and solvent (e.g., hexane) contact countercurrently in leaching apparatus, dissolve oil and grease to form mixed oil.

Wet meal desolventization: solvent is removed from the meal by steam heating to ensure feed safety.

Mixed oil evaporation: negative pressure evaporation separates solvent and crude oil, solvent recovery rate can reach above 98%.

Step 3: Rice Bran Oil Refining

Crude rice bran oil is refined to remove impurities and enhance its quality for consumption.

• Degumming: Removes phospholipids, gums and other impurities.
• Neutralization (Deacidification): Neutralizes free fatty acids to reduce acidity.
• Bleaching: Removes pigments and impurities using bleaching earth or carbon.
• Deodorization: Removes odors and volatile compounds.
• Dewaxing: Essential for rice bran oil due to its high wax content (3-5%), ensuring clarity and stability.

Refining can be batch, semi-continuous, or continuous, depending on your plant’s scale. Learn more about our Vietnam Rice Bran Oil Project.

Notes for Rice Bran Oil Extraction.

To achieve optimal results in rice bran oil production, you must consider several critical factors:

• Storage: Fresh rice bran should be processed within 24-48 hours to prevent enzyme activity and oil degradation. Proper storage in cool, dry conditions is crucial if immediate processing isn’t possible.
• Starch Content: Rice bran’s high starch content can cause powdering and blockages in equipment, necessitating thorough cleaning and conditioning during pretreatment.
• Moisture and temperature: Maintain optimal moisture (around 13.5-13.8%) and temperature (54-58°C) during puffing and pressing to maximize oil yield.
• Solvent Recovery: Ensure solvent recovery systems are well-maintained to minimize solvent loss and cost.
• High Viscosity and Dewaxing: Rice bran oil has a higher viscosity than other vegetable oils, requiring dewaxing during refining to ensure clarity and stability, especially at low temperatures.

How Much Is a Rice Bran Oil Machine?

The rice bran oil machine price varies widely based on several factors, including capacity, extraction method, automation level, and whether a turnkey solution is included.

A mini rice bran oil machine for 3-5 TPD may cost $10,000-$50,000.

A medium-scale rice bran oil extraction plant (30-100 TPD) with solvent extraction and refining could range from $100,000 to $500,000.

Large complete rice bran oil plants (500-2000 TPD) may exceed $1 million, depending on customization.

If you need to get accurate quotes for rice bran oil machines, please get in touch with Henan Huatai Group and we will provide customized solutions according to your production goals.

Why Choose Henan Huatai Group?

Henan Huatai Grain and Oil Machinery Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Huatai Intelligent Equipment Group, a pioneer in rice bran oil machinery, offers patented technologies and comprehensive solutions with these advantages:

1. Patented Technologies: Huatai has 7 national patents for rice bran oil production lines, extrusion processing, and refining equipment, ensuring cutting-edge solutions.
2. Energy-saving and low residual oil: Heat energy recycling, steam consumption reduced by 30%. The residual oil rate of oil solvent extraction line is ≤1%.
3. Industry Leadership: As the earliest research enterprise in rice bran oil equipment in China, Huatai designed and built the country’s first fully continuous rice bran oil production line.
4. Customizable Solutions: Huatai provides tailored solutions for capacities ranging from mini rice bran oil machines (3-5 TPD) to large industrial plants (up to 2000 TPD).
5. Full certification guarantee: certified by ISO9001, CE, BV, in line with international safety standards.
6. One-stop service: from equipment customization to installation and commissioning, providing lifelong technical support.

Conclusion

Investing in a high quality rice bran oil plant is essential for the efficient and effective production of nutritious, high quality rice bran oil. The right combination of equipment from cleaning, puffing, solvent extraction and refining ensures maximum oil recovery and quality.

By understanding the equipment involved, the extraction process, key considerations and cost factors, you can make informed decisions to establish or expand your rice bran oil processing business.

Henan Huatai Group's patented rice bran oil machine technology, advanced expertise and fully customizable solutions are ideal for producers of any size. If you need a customized solution or to know the price of rice bran oil machine, please contact us now.