Extraction tanks for plant proteins
Extraction tanks are pivotal in plant protein processing, facilitating the extraction of proteins from raw materials. These tanks employ various methods such as solvent extraction or aqueous extraction to separate proteins from plant matrices. Advanced designs ensure optimal mixing and extraction efficiency, while precise controls maintain ideal conditions. The resulting protein extract is then further processed to yield high-quality products for various food applications.
Extraction tanks for plant proteins are the vessels at the heart of plant-based protein processing, used to extract protein from raw materials such as soybeans, peas and canola seeds. They are typically large vessels that combine mechanical and chemical methods to release protein from the plant matrix, and they can be configured for a variety of feedstocks including soy, pea, rice and hemp.
A complete extraction tank system is built around five functional blocks. A mixing system combines the plant material with water and other chemicals to create a slurry that is heated and agitated, breaking down the material and releasing protein. A heating system brings the slurry to a specific temperature, typically between 80 and 90 degrees Celsius, to further aid extraction. A separation system then splits the slurry into a liquid component carrying the extracted protein and a solid component containing fibres, starch and other plant material. A filtration system removes remaining solids and impurities from the liquid, and a concentration system raises the protein content, typically through evaporation.
In practice the working sequence begins upstream of the tank: the plant material is cleaned, sorted and then ground or milled into small particles to increase the surface area available for extraction. The ground material is mixed with water and chemicals such as alkalis or acids, which help break down the cell walls and release the protein, before heating, separation, filtration and concentration follow. The output feeds a wide range of products, including plant-based meat substitutes, protein powders and supplements, dairy alternatives, baked goods and infant formula.
The market for these systems is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. The main drivers are rising demand for plant-based proteins as consumers become more health-conscious and environmentally aware, growing demand for clean label and natural ingredients, and the search by food manufacturers for new and innovative ways to incorporate plant-based proteins into their products, for which extraction tanks offer an efficient and scalable solution. Companies specialising in this equipment include Alfa Laval, GEA Group and Praj Industries, offering both batch and continuous extraction systems.