Bleaching Process of Sunflower Oil by Using Bentonite Activated with Different Chemical Substances

Abstract

In this research, activation process took place in different times by using different concentration of H2SO4, HCl and H3PO4 solutions were used to define the proper acid activation circumstances for neutral bentonite clay from Thrace region. Moreover, the acid active clays were used in bleaching of crude sunflower oil. Before and after the bleaching process, absorbance values of sunflower oil had been noted and with the help of the information the bleaching efficiency of the absorbents was calculated and compared with commercial clay. In the process of bleaching crude sunflower oil with the activated clays and the commercial clay, adsorbent concentration, the heat treatment, the time's effects on bleaching efficiency were analyzed. Optimum adsorbent concentration, temperature and time are found as 1 %, 80 degrees C, 20 min, respectively. For the bleaching process which contained acid activated clay and commercial bleaching earths, adsorption kinetics, thermodynamics and isotherms were analyzed. To sum up, in the chosen time and the concentration, it has been found out that clay activated with H2SO4 and HCl has better values than commercial clay.