🌴 PALM KERNEL OIL FRACTIONATION PLANT – SUMMARY
🔹 What is Palm Kernel Oil Fractionation?
Fractionation is a physical separation process that splits crude or RBD palm kernel oil into:
Palm Kernel Olein (liquid fraction)
Palm Kernel Stearin (solid fraction)
This is done through controlled cooling and filtration, typically called dry fractionation.
🔹 Why Fractionate Palm Kernel Oil?
To produce value-added products with specific melting points and consistencies for:
Food industry (chocolates, bakery fats, frying oils)
Cosmetics (creams, lotions)
Industrial use (soaps, surfactants, candles)
🔹 Main Products
| Fraction | Properties | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| PK Olein | Light, low-melting oil (~15–20°C) | Frying oils, baby oil, creams |
| PK Stearin | Hard, waxy fat (~30–36°C) | Cocoa butter substitute, margarine, soap |
| Mid-fraction (Optional) | Medium melting (~22–28°C) | Chocolate, CBE (Cocoa Butter Equivalent) |
🔹 Process Flow Summary
🔹 Key Process Stages
✅ 1. Heating / Conditioning
PKO is pre-heated to ensure uniformity.
Removes any waxes or pre-crystallized fat.
✅ 2. Controlled Cooling (Crystallization)
Slow, gradual cooling (down to ~20–24°C).
Promotes separation of high-melting stearin.
✅ 3. Maturation
Holding time (4–6 hours) for proper crystal formation.
✅ 4. Filtration
Separation via:
Membrane filter press
Vacuum drum filter
Stearin becomes solid cake; olein is the filtered oil.
🔹 Key Equipment
Crystallizer tank with agitator
Cooling system / Chillers
Membrane filter press
Oil transfer pumps
Heat exchangers (optional)
Storage tanks for stearin and olein
🔹 Capacity Options
| Plant Size | Daily Capacity | Area Needed | Staff Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 5–10 TPD | ~1,000–1,500 sq.ft | 2–3 people |
| Medium | 20–50 TPD | ~3,000+ sq.ft | 4–6 people |
| Large | 100–300+ TPD | 6,000+ sq.ft | 6–10 people |
🔹 Utilities Required
Chillers or brine cooling units
Steam/hot water line (for preheating)
Compressed air (for filter press)
Electric power
Vacuum pump (optional)
✅ Benefits of Palm Kernel Oil Fractionation
🚫 Chemical-free and eco-friendly
🧈 Customized fats for specific industries
♻️ High yield and low loss
💰 Better margins through value addition
📦 Multiple marketable products from one raw oil
🔹 Applications by Industry
| Industry | Uses |
|---|---|
| Food | Chocolate coatings, biscuits, frying oils |
| Cosmetics | Lotions, creams, moisturizers |
| Soapmaking | Hard soaps and detergents |
| Confectionery | CBE/CBS manufacturing |