Edible Oils Refining: Basic Principles and Modern Practices Short Course

Edible Oils Refining: Basic Principles and Modern Practices Short Course 
April 26-27, 2025, Portland, Oregon  
Preceding the 2025 AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo 

Course Overview

Vegetable oil is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon found abundantly in plants, seeds, and fruits. Depending on the source and growing conditions, vegetable oil composition varies broadly. Manufacturers must consider several such factors when deciding on their approach to edible oil processing.  

During this course, you will learn the processing steps that lead from an oilseed to a purified oil. You will learn how manufacturers remove crude oil contaminants to achieve a safe, consistent product at the lowest cost. This course emphasizes practical applications and optimization, enabling you to make informed decisions in your plant operations and refine edible oils effectively. 

There has been an uptick recently in interest in more naturally sourced products across every market sector. As a reflection of this trend, this year’s course will include a module on cold pressed vegetable oils and on pretreatments for producing biodiesel fuels.  

Logistical notes:  

• All course materials will be provided digitally only. Please plan accordingly. 

• Coffee breaks and lunch are included for attendees and instructors. 

Program Description 

This course is designed to help attendees understand the informed decision-making manufacturers use in edible oil processing as they progress from an oilseed to a purified, palatable vegetable oil.  

This course provides the basics of the crushing process, but the primary focus is refining. 

New this year: Special modules on cold pressing and fuel production from vegetable oils.  

Short Course Schedule

Day 1 – Saturday, April 26, 2025, Room TBA 
9:00 am—4:00 pm PDT (UTC -7) 

9:00-9:05am – Welcome
9:05-9:50am – Seed Preparation and Extraction
9:50-10:30am – The Chemistry of Crude Oil
10:30-10:45am – Refreshment Break
10:45-11:00am – Assessments and Review
11:00-11:45am – Degumming Processes
11:45am-12:00pm – Lecithin Production
12:00-1:00pm – Lunch
1:00-1:15pm – Assessments and Review
1:15-1:45pm – Chemical vs Physical Refining
1:45-2:00pm – Refreshment Break
2:00-2:15pm – Assessments and Review
2:15-2:55pm – Bleaching & Filtration
2:55-3:40pm – Deodorization & Optimization
3:40-3:55pm – Q&A and Discussion
3:55-4:00pm – Closing Remarks

Day 2 – Sunday, April 27, 2025, Room TBA 
9:00 am—3:00 pm PDT (UTC -7), Course Program
5:30—7:00 pm PDT (UTC -7), AM Welcome Reception 

9:00-9:05am – Opening Remarks
9:05-9:20am – Assessments and Review
9:20-9:50am – Oil Quality
9:50-10:15am – Cold Pressed Oils
10:15-10:30am – Refreshment Break
10:30-10:45am – Assessments and Review
10:45-11:15am – Fractionation
11:15-11:45am – Interesterification
11:45am-12:45pm – Lunch
12:45-1:00pm – Assessments and Review
1:00-1:30pm – Hydrogenation
1:30-1:45pm – Refreshment Break
1:45-2:15pm – Hydrotreated Oils and Sustainable Aviation Fuel
2:15-2:45pm – Pretreatment Considerations for Sustainable Aviation Fuel
2:45-2:55pm – Q&A and Discussion
2:55-3:00pm – Closing Remarks
5:30-7:00pm – AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo Welcome Reception

Instructors

Thanks to our esteemed course instructors for generously sharing their industry expertise and experience. This year, Alan Paine will moderate the short course. The following instructors will teach course topics: Brent German, Randy Kruger, Joanna Wawrzynczyk, and Bryan Yeh.