Effect of solvent hydration and temperature in the deacidification process of sunflower oil using ethanol

This work presents liquid–liquid experimental data for systems composed of sunflower seed oil, ethanol and water from 10 to 60 °C. The influence of process variables (temperature (T) and water concentration in the solvent (W)) on both the solvent content present in the raffinate (SRP) and extract (SEP) phases and the partition of free fatty acids (k2) was evaluated using the response surface methodology, where flash calculations were performed for each trial using the UNIQUAC equation. Water content in the solvent was the most important factor on the responses of SEP and k2. Additionally, statistical analysis showed that the SRP was predominantly affected by temperature factor for low water content in the solvent.