course description

registration

This in-person, two-day short course offers a clear, structured foundation in modern refining, connecting essential unit operations with the performance, quality, and economic considerations that drive today’s edible oils and biofuel sectors.

Location: Hilton Chicago
720 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL, USA 60605

Registration opens in January 2027. Additioanl information will be avialable soon.

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Learning objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the fundamental steps in edible oil refining, from seed preparation and extraction through degumming, neutralization, bleaching, deodorization, and finishing.
  • Describe the chemistry of crude oils and how impurities such as FFAs, phospholipids, pigments, and contaminants influence processing decisions.
  • Compare refining methods (chemical vs. physical) and identify when each approach is appropriate based on feedstock characteristics and operational goals.
  • Evaluate degumming, bleaching, and deodorization parameters to improve yield, product quality, and process efficiency.
    Interpret analytical quality measurements and understand their role in determining product specifications and commercial value.
  • Identify common processing challenges and understand the operational and chemical factors that contribute to variability, loss, and off-spec conditions.
  • Recognize the unique characteristics of palm oil and understand the refining adjustments required for palm-based feedstocks.
  • Describe pretreatment needs for renewable diesel and SAF, including hydrotreatment requirements, contaminant thresholds, and catalyst protection.
  • Apply biotechnological and enzymatic concepts to modern refining challenges (supported by new instruction from Gil Wang and Joanna Wawrzynczyk).
  • Connect refining principles to plant-level decision-making, including optimization, troubleshooting, and economic considerations.

who should attend?

The course is especially relevant for individuals in research, sales, engineering, quality assurance, scientific roles, and executive leadership who want to deepen technical knowledge, improve cross-functional communication, and stay current with evolving technologies—including Palm Oil processing and renewable fuel pretreatment.

Roles that benefit include:

Technical & Research Roles:
-Research Scientists
-Lab Scientists
-Lab Managers
-QA Specialists
-Process Engineers
-R&D Managers

Operations & Production Roles:
-Plant Managers
-Plant Engineers
-Plant Operators
-Production Supervisors

Business, Commercial & Strategic Roles:
-Sales Managers
-Technical Sales Representatives
-Supply Chain Managers
-Business Managers
-C-Suite Executives
-Owners and Organizational Leaders

SC26_Refining Audience

additional information

The short course is not part of the AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo. It is a separate, stand-alone AOCS educational program that takes place before the annual meeting.

All short course registrants receive a $200 discount on AOCS Annual Meeting registration.* In addition, short course participants are invited to the AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo Welcome Reception on Sunday, May 2, beginning at 5:30 p.m. CDT (UTC−05). This reception features complimentary drinks and appetizers and offers an excellent opportunity to connect, network, and build relationships with peers from across industry, academia, and the global AOCS community—before the meeting officially begins.

*This discount excludes student, early career, retiree, and exhibit personnel pricing.