Oil extraction method and composition for use in the method
A composition is disclosed for aiding extraction of an emulsified oil from an oil and water emulsion. The composition includes silicon containing particles at a level of 0.1 wt. % to 30 wt. %; an emulsifying agent at a level of 1 wt. % to 30 wt. %; and water at a level of 40 wt. % to 99 wt. %. A method of extracting oil from an oil and water emulsion in a material is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) dispersing silicon containing particles into the material using a mechanical blending device; and (b) separating the oil from the material. A method of extracting oil from an oil and water emulsion in a material is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a dispersion of silicon containing particles in water; (b) metering the dispersion into the material; and (c) separating the oil from the material.
1. A composition for aiding extraction of an emulsified oil from an oil and water emulsion, the composition comprising:
silicon containing particles at a level of 0.1 wt. % to 30 wt. %;
an emulsifying agent at a level of 1 wt. % to 30 wt. %; and
water at a level of 40 wt. % to 99 wt. %,
wherein the emulsifying agent is a polysorbate, and
wherein the silicon containing particles are dispersed in the water.
2. The composition of claim 1 wherein:
the silicon containing particles are present at greater than 5 wt. % to 15 wt. %;
the emulsifying agent is present at a level of 4 wt. % to 15 wt. %; and
water is present at a level of 70 wt. % to 90 wt. %.
3. The composition of claim 1 wherein:
the silicon containing particles are selected from the group consisting of silica, talc, clay, quartz, diatomaceous earth, and mixtures thereof.
4. The composition of claim 1 wherein:
the silicon containing particles are precipitated silica particles.
5. The composition of claim 4 wherein:
the silicon containing particles are hydrophilic.
6. The composition of claim 1 wherein:
the silicon containing particles have an average particle size of less than 100 micrometers.
7. A method of extracting oil from an oil and water emulsion in a material, the method comprising:
(a) dispersing hydrophilic silicon containing particles and a polysorbate into the material using a mechanical blending device; and
(b) separating the oil from the material.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein:
the silicon containing particles are selected from the group consisting of silica, talc, clay, quartz, diatomaceous earth, and mixtures thereof.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein:
the silicon containing particles are precipitated silica particles.
10. The method of claim 7 wherein:
the silicon containing particles have an average particle size of less than 20 micrometers.
11. The method of claim 7 wherein:
the mechanical blending device is selected from a dry blending hopper, a tri-blender, and physical addition.
12. The method of claim 7 wherein:
the oil is selected from the group consisting of vegetable oils, animal fats, and petroleum oil.
13. The method of claim 7 wherein:
the oil and water emulsion comprises a vegetable oil and/or an animal fat emulsified by a biological surfactant comprising phospholipids and proteins.
14. The method of claim 7 wherein:
the oil is corn oil, and
step comprises (b) centrifuging the material to separate the oil.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein:
the material is whole stillage, thin stillage, or thick stillage.
16. A method of extracting oil from an oil and water emulsion in a material, the method comprising:
(a) providing a dispersion of silicon containing particles and a polysorbate in water;
(b) metering the dispersion into the material; and
(c) separating the oil from the material.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein:
the silicon containing particles are selected from the group consisting of silica, talc, clay, diatomaceous earth, and mixtures thereof.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein:
the silicon containing particles are precipitated silica particles.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein:
the silicon containing particles are hydrophilic.
20. The method of claim 16 wherein:
the silicon containing particles have an average particle size of less than 20 micrometers.
21. The method of claim 16 wherein:
the silicon containing particles are present in the dispersion at up to 15 wt. %.
22. The method of claim 16 wherein:
step (a) comprises dispersing the silicon containing particles under high shear.
23. The method of claim 16 wherein:
the dispersion includes a suspending agent, the suspending agent is selected from gums or celluloses.
24. The method of claim 16 wherein:
the dispersion comprises silicon containing particles at a level of greater than 5 wt. % to 15 wt. %, the polysorbate at a level of 4 wt. % to 15 wt. %, and water at a level of 70 wt. % to 90 wt. %.