If implemented, these changes could reduce energy and water use per unit output, reduce contaminated waste water, and improve product quality. This facility refines olive oil and soybean oil for consumption. The facility also makes soap from high acid oils and other fat sources. The plant operates three eight-hour shifts, employing 37 permanent workers and 20 seasonal workers. The refinery process removes phospholipids, neutralizes the oil's acidity, and decolorizes and deodorizes the oil.
Phosphoric acid is added to the heated crude oil to eliminate the phospholipids.
An 18-20 percent solution of sodium hydroxide is mixed with the oil and then centrifuged to separate the oil and soap waste. The oil is mixed with water for washing in a second centrifuge. The effluent is waste water. EP3 is sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Deodorization is accomplished through the use of superheated steam in a vessel installed in 1933.