Commercial extraction of soybean oil using non-inflammable solvents

Abstract

<p>There has long been a need for an efficient small-scale plant for the extraction of soybean and similar oils. For a number of years research toward the development of such a plant has been undertaken at Iowa State College;After considerable preliminary work a pilot plant was erected using a Redler chain to convey the soybean flakes through a non-inflammable solvent, trichloroethylene. All the unit operations involved were studied carefully and the system made as simple and fool-proof as possible. With slight modifications the plant was found to be capable of extracting the oil from several types of oleagineous materials using trichloroethylene or similar solvents;A commercial plant was erected at Plainfield, Iowa, in connection with a small elevator and feed mixing company. Experimentation was continued at this plant. The plant has been operating continuously for over a year and has a capacity of over 15 tons of soybeans a day. High quality oil and meal are obtained at very reasonable operating costs. It is expected that many similar plants will be constructed in the near future.</p>