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· E N Z I M A T I C D E G U M M I N G · Survey about Enzimatic Degumming

Physical refining enhance the benefits Chris Dayton Jim Willits & León Espinosa Ph control and the right temperature are application. PLCs are indicated for use DSM launched Gumzyme® this year
of the enzymatic degumming, by reco- Bunge North America De Smet Ballestra decisive when we wish to increase the in crude oils with high levels of phos- which is a specific sub-class of Phos-
vering high added-value components performance. phorous since they react only with two pholipase (PLA2) that operates at higher
(tocopherol and FFA). 1. The most important variables that impact
types of the phospholipids that are found temperatures and more neutral pH. It
A) Drying the crude oil prior to send to the process are: quality of the water ( soft in crude oil (PC and PE). PLAs enzy- also has an affinity for the less hydra-
While enzymatic degumming takes care the enzymatic process. Any moisture water), strict control of pH, temperature, Fernando Cadore mes react with all types of phospholi- table phospholipid species such as PA
of one impurity of the oil (Phosphorus present will foul the heat exchange quality of the mixer. Verenium pids, but they generate FFA as a product and PE. This gives options, in addition
content), physical refining takes care of when the oil is cooled for optimum of the reaction. Therefore PLAs have to other enzymes in the market, when
the second impurity (by product): FFA in enzymatic activity. The contaminants in the oil reduce the
• Each enzyme has an optimal range of being gaining more traction in the indus- designing your total process.
a more environmentally friendly way. B) High shear mixing utilizing a IKA activity of the enzyme such as citric acid pH and temperature to operate. Enzymes try on removal of P from oils that have
Dispax mixer with horsepower at 100 and iron. are water soluble and there usually is an been previously degummed with water, An enzyme for degumming is designed
to 200 in order to produce the emul- optimal enzyme concentration in water because in degummed oil the goal is to to help hydrate phospholipid species and
Curtis Otis sion needed for the enzymatic process Enzyme degumming will work on both for each type of enzyme to ensure the reduce phosphorous to the lowest level improve their subsequent removal in
DSM to be successful. Disclosed in US crude and crude degummed. PLC is
most efficient reaction – information on possible, and the increase in FFA is pro- the heavy phase. Therefore, you can use
patent 7,713,727. more effective on crude and PLA is more this should be supplied by enzyme com- portional to the amount of phospholipids this process for any oil where you have
It is essential to preface a response with C) Controlled citric acid addition for effective on crude degummed due to the panies. These parameters must be achie- present in the oil, which is already low in phospholipids including crude and crude
an important caveat: an oil processor dissociation of metals from PA, PE, amount of non-hydrateables present. ved and most importantly stably maintai- degummed oils. degummed oils.
will never be fully aware all of the bene- and PI. ned during operation. So, for instance,
fits of enzymatic degumming if they are D) Controlled base addition for opti- The quality of the instrumentation and a
residual moisture in crude oil coming • Enzymatic degumming is used to
not measuring the right performance mum pH of enzyme’s activity and very good automation in a key point in from extraction can affect enzyme acti- minimize degumming losses when
parameters of their current process. selectivity this process. vity specially if there is great variation in removing phosphorous content of crude
E) Acid added after the enzymatic reac- residual moisture in the oil. oil to the standard of trade (commonly
You need to assess input costs (e.g. oil tion in order to reduce pH prior to For crude oil you have to apply one kind 200ppm), usually in processes where What are the storage conditions
from the extraction, energy, acid and heating the oil and separation in order of enzyme and for degummed oil other that may affect enzyme activi-
In the event of this residual moisture in enzymatic degumming is implemented,
caustic) and output value of material to prevent Ca and Mg citrate fouling kind of enzyme. the oil carry impurities, such as water we can easily get to a lower phosphorous ty? What's the enzyme shelf life
produced (e.g. separated gums, meal US Patent No. 7,713,727 additives commonly used on boilers, level when comparing to other degum- expected to be? Can the enzyme
cake, degummed oil, free fatty acids, F) Silica and clay for zero phosphorus, these additives could impact the enzy- ming alternatives. activity be directly measured?
soap stock, etc.). calcium, magnesium and iron after Ken Carlson me activity in a few ways such: directly
silica treatment for physical refining. Danisco
affecting the enzyme; affecting the pH of
The number one driver for enzyme the oil; or affecting the quality and sta- Frederico Viana
degumming is the economics. When a 2. No known contaminates are present We have not experienced any influence bility of the emulsion created necessary Alfa Laval Colombia Chris Dayton
process is properly monitored, we have in the oil that will reduce the enzy- from solvent extraction that negatively for the enzymatic reaction to break the Bunge North America
heard reports of as much as ~1% oil matic degumming activity. In the effects the enzyme. The critical issues phospholipids. Important Process variables:
yield improvement and even more when Enzymatic Interesterification (EIE) are that the feed oil should be dry and
Oil moisture. No comment.
combinations of enzymes are used. process, oxidation products and citric cooled to the right temperature, e.g. 55 Therefore, as important as controlling Oil quality.
acid have been found to reduce the - 60 C. In extraction plants with integra- parameters and process variables, is to Water quality.
But there are other potential economic, activity of the enzyme. ted degumming the crude oil is normally maintain these process conditions stable Process control and stability.
safety and sustainability benefits such not vacuum dried or cooled as it goes for the enzyme to do its work. Enzyme can be used for both, crude and Jim Willits & León Espinosa
as reduced use of chemicals, safer work 3. Yes, both crude and degummed oils directly to degumming.
degummed oil. De Smet Ballestra
environment and reduced generation of -- Lecithin production yes (BioTi- • Attention to metals present in the
lower value co-products. All these bene- mes 2004), enzymatic degumming This is acceptable as the oil can be hydra- hydration water (such as Ca. Mg and Variables that affects the enzyme are
fits can be realized whether you are phy- of degummed oil (Aalrust Patent), ted (or acid conditioned) at say 80 C and Fe) and the pH of the water also must temperature and light.
sically refining or simply producing and physical refining (BioTimes, 2004). any gums already precipitated in feed oil be observed. In a process where we are Curtis Otis
enzymatically degummed oil. Most PLAs work on all of the phos- will come out in separation. However, if
trying to remove metals from the oil, the DSM Shelf life depends on storage conditions.
pholipids while the commercial PLC a wet oil is cooled there is a risk of clo- water used should be free of metals as With proper conditions, several months
only reacts with Phosphatidylcholine gging of the cooler from the precipitated much as possible. The water pH should Enzymes are proteins that help cataly- from the time of manufacture is normal.
(PC) and Phosphatidylethanolamine gums. Furthermore the enzyme will not be taken into account as well and this ze most important reactions in animals
Which are the most important (PE). work with already hydrated (precipita- should be within the range of operation and plants. They have a defined reaction You have to follow the storage condi-
process variables that impact the ted) gums which reduces yield gain. indicated by the enzyme company. to effect in a limited range of environ- tions suggested by the enzyme supplier,
performance of the enzyme, and 4. A combination of PLC and PLA enzy- ments. The two most influential factors in some cases the temperature has to be
the contaminants found in the oil mes may be applied to both crude and David Cowan • Enzymes can be used for crude and are pH and temperature where they can below 10 ºC. This conditions are very
degummed oil. If single enzymes are
that can reduce the enzyme acti- utilized (US patent applications US Novozimes also for degummed oil. Phospholipa- have optimum efficiency under one set important and the moment of the trans-
vity? Can enzymes be applied for 2008/0182322 and US 2008/094847). se enzymes may be selective to certain of conditions. Fortunately, enzymes have portation.
both crude and crude degummed PLC will not work on degummed oil The water quality is important in order to types of phospholipids, therefore it’s a range of conditions where you get good
performance. So you have some flexibi-
important to understand what phospho-
oils? due to the prior removal of PC and achieve the best performance, Chlorine lipids are present in the oil and select lity to optimize both for the enzyme and You can measure the enzyme activity
directly. It is possible to do this at the
PE. should be maintained as low as possible. the appropriate type of enzyme for each your processing of the oil. plant level.