Análise do impacto da utilização de Ressonância Magnética Nuclear na esterilização do óleo de palma

Abstract

This work addresses the application of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) as a technological innovation to help optimize the palm oil sterilization process. The study assumes that the process and quality of palm oil extraction are poorly controlled, as it takes up to eight hours to analyze oil losses in a continuous process using conventional analysis methods, as is the case with chemical solvent extraction analysis, known as Soxhlet. Analyzing this major problem, this work proposes an analysis of the effectiveness of NMR in a low magnetic field when implemented in the quality control of the sterilization stage of bunches filled with fresh palm fruits. This is possible thanks to the fast and precise physicochemical analyzes that an NMR spectrometer performs. The motivation for this study is therefore based on the critical need to seek new technologies that meet the specificities and demands of today's world. Low magnetic field NMR is therefore proposed as an innovative technological solution, capable of analyzing sample parameters, such as determining oil content, a crucial factor for quality control and efficiency of the palm extraction process. This technology in itself is already old, from the 1950s more specifically, but its application in the palm oil extraction industry is as recent as the use of NMR for Quality Control and Certification (CCQ) of industrial products and processes ( COLNAGO, 2017). Emphasizing the quality control of losses resulting from sterilization, which are identified through the oil content contained in the condensed steam and empty bunches, a financial analysis of Return Over Investment (ROI) of the implementation of RMN as a quality controller is carried out to evaluate the viability of this technology. With the support of the Brazilian company Fine Instrument Technology (FIT) and a palm oil extracting industry, the results of the study bring a significant step towards innovation and improvement of industrial oil extraction processes. Providing valuable insights into the benefits of applying this technology in the oil industry, it can be seen that NMR equipment precisely analyzes the oil content contained in losses in the process, as analyzed by conventional methods, but much faster, which allows process control. With greater agility, new control points can be implemented, such as the analysis of raw materials upon receipt, enabling the minimization of losses through adjustments and gains relevant to the industries.