Soybean oil extraction in belt extractors with miscella recirculation

This work presents a mathematical model for soybean oil extraction in a belt extractor with miscella recirculation. The mathematical model consists of partial differential and algebraic equations and it takes into account the extractor dimension and the physical properties of the solid and miscella. Experimental data collected in an industrial process in Stead State were used to check the model validity. The model was solved using the Finite Difference Method in a computational routine developed in Maple™ and it was compared with the Method of Ideal Stages. The results are coherent and consistent with the extraction phenomena and they can be used to evaluate the influence of several parameters and to obtain the soybean oil concentration profile in any of the phases and parts of the extractor, either in vertical or horizontal arrangement.