From Manual Control to PLC Automatic Regulation: Practical Experience Sharing on Reducing Energy Consumption by 30% in Edible Oil Refining

In the era of Industry 4.0, the edible oil manufacturing industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) automatic control system emerging as a game - changer. Penguin Group, a leading provider in this field, has been at the forefront of this technological revolution, offering advanced PLC - controlled edible oil production lines.

PLC System Applications in Key Edible Oil Production Stages

Raw Material Processing

At the beginning of the production process, the PLC system plays a crucial role in raw material handling. In traditional manual control, the adjustment of parameters such as temperature and moisture content of raw materials was often inaccurate, leading to inconsistent product quality. With Penguin Group's PLC system, sensors are installed to continuously monitor these parameters. For example, if the moisture content of soybeans exceeds the optimal level of 10 - 12%, the system can automatically adjust the drying time and temperature. In a real - world case, a medium - sized edible oil factory reduced its raw material waste by 15% after implementing the PLC - controlled raw material processing system.

Cold Pressing and Solvent Extraction

During the cold - pressing stage, the PLC system precisely controls the pressure and speed of the press. In a cold - pressing operation, the ideal pressure range for extracting oil from rapeseeds is between 20 - 30 MPa. The PLC system ensures that the pressure remains within this range, maximizing oil yield. In solvent extraction, the system controls the flow rate of solvents and the extraction time. Compared with manual control, the PLC - controlled solvent extraction process has increased the oil extraction rate by 8% on average. This not only improves production efficiency but also reduces the consumption of solvents, contributing to environmental protection.

Refining

The refining process is where the most significant energy savings are achieved. The PLC system can automatically adjust parameters such as temperature, pH value, and chemical additive dosage. In a case study, an edible oil refinery using Penguin Group's PLC system reduced its energy consumption by 30% compared to the traditional manual - controlled refining process. The system continuously monitors the quality of the oil during refining and can make real - time adjustments to ensure that the final product meets high - quality standards.

Filling

For the filling stage, the PLC system ensures accurate filling volume and high - speed operation. It can detect and reject defective bottles or containers in real - time, reducing product waste. In a filling line with a capacity of 10,000 bottles per hour, the PLC - controlled system has reduced the filling error rate from 2% (in manual control) to less than 0.5%, improving the overall product quality and customer satisfaction.

Automatic Parameter Adjustment and Fault Early - Warning Mechanisms

The PLC system in Penguin Group's edible oil production lines is equipped with advanced automatic parameter adjustment and fault early - warning mechanisms. Through real - time data collection from sensors, the system can analyze the production status and make automatic adjustments. For example, if the temperature in the refining tank deviates from the set value by more than 5°C, the system will automatically adjust the heating or cooling equipment. In terms of fault early - warning, the system can detect abnormal vibrations, abnormal current values, or other signs of potential equipment failures. It can send alerts to technicians via SMS or email, allowing them to take preventive measures before a major breakdown occurs.

Case Study: Comparing Traditional and Automated Control

Let's take an anonymous edible oil manufacturing plant as an example. Before implementing the PLC system, the plant relied on manual control, which led to frequent production interruptions due to human errors and inaccurate parameter settings. The energy consumption was relatively high, and the product quality was inconsistent. After installing Penguin Group's PLC - controlled production line, the plant saw a significant improvement. The production efficiency increased by 25%, the energy consumption decreased by 30%, and the product quality stability improved from 80% to 95%. The non - planned downtime was reduced from an average of 10 days per year to less than 3 days.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Penguin Group provides comprehensive maintenance and troubleshooting guides for its PLC - controlled edible oil production lines. Regular maintenance tasks include cleaning sensors, checking wiring connections, and updating system software. For common faults, such as sensor malfunctions or communication errors, the company offers step - by - step troubleshooting procedures. By following these guidelines, technicians can quickly identify and resolve problems, minimizing production losses.

If you're looking to upgrade your edible oil production line to a more intelligent, energy - efficient, and high - quality system, Penguin Group's fully automatic PLC - controlled edible oil production line is the ideal choice. Click here to learn more about our advanced technology and service support!