De-acidification of sunflower oil by solvent extraction: (Liquid plus liquid) equilibrium data at T = (303.15 and 313.15) K

Short chain alcohols such as ethanol and methanol were used for extraction of oleic acid from sunflower oil. (Liquid + liquid) equilibrium data for the systems (sunflower oil + oleic acid + methanol) and (sunflower oil + oleic acid + ethanol) at T = (303.15 and 313.15) K are reported. The experimental (liquid + liquid) equilibrium data were satisfactorily correlated using the UNIQUAC activity coefficient model to obtain the binary interaction parameters. The experimental and calculated compositions of the equilibrium phases were compared and the relative mean square deviations (RMSD) are reported. The partition coefficients and the selectivity factor of the methanol and ethanol were calculated and presented. The experimental results indicate that increasing the temperature increases the distribution coefficient but decreases the selectivity factor. Our experimental results indicate that a possible alternative to reduce energy consumption is de-acidification of sunflower oil through liquid-liquid extraction by short chain alcohols, as this process is carried out at room temperature. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Ltd.