Hexane Economization in Palm Kernel oil Plant: A Study After Process Design Improvement

Sivarao, Subramonian and Nanthakumar, Rajoo and Widodo, W. Sapto and Haeryip , Sihombing (2012) Hexane Economization in Palm Kernel oil Plant: A Study After Process Design Improvement. Global Engineers & Technologists Review, 2 (12). pp. 7-14. ISSN 2231-9700

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Abstract

Hexane (C6H14) is used as a solvent to extract oil from palm kernel to produce crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) which is a common cooking ingredient. The main intention of this research work is to reduce hexane loss during the extraction process of oil from palm kernel. This research project was carried out in a leading vegetable factory in Malaysia. Although this plant managed to get high yield (average 48.5 %) compare with other similar conventional plants in Malaysia but the hexane loss is very high, 8.5 litre/Metric Ton (l/MT) in average. To reduce the hexane loss, few modification jobs were carried out; adding of new shell and tube condenser, sealing of leakages and developed a set of standard operating procedures. Preliminary investigation after the improvement steps found that, reduction of hexane loss showed a decrease of about 30 % from the average of 9.5 % litre/MT of palm kernel 6.5 litre/MT of palm kernel after the improvement. This amounted of hexane savings of 3 litre/MT of palm kernel which is equivalent to about RM 727,660 for 8 months after the process improvement taken into effect.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Palm Kernel, Hexane, Extraction, Condenser
Subjects:	T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
Divisions:	Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering > Department of Manufacturing Process
Depositing User:	Assoc. Pror. Ir. Dr. Sivarao Subramonian
Date Deposited:	21 Feb 2013 02:30
Last Modified:	28 Jan 2022 16:33
URI:	http://eprints.utem.edu.my/id/eprint/6563
Statistic Details:	View Download Statistic

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