WO2008140287A1

WO2008140287A1 - Effective treatment to increase crude palm oil content and to obtain extra palm kernel on fresh fruit bunch

Info

Publication number: WO2008140287A1
Application number: PCT/MY2007/000029
Authority: WO
Inventors: Liam Seng Tan; Chor Kuan Tan; Chor Hum Tan; Chor Eng Tan; Chor Keng Tan; Chor Siong Tan
Original assignee: Liam Seng Tan; Chor Kuan Tan; Chor Hum Tan; Chor Eng Tan; Chor Keng Tan; Chor Siong Tan
Priority date: 2007-05-09
Filing date: 2007-05-09
Publication date: 2008-11-20

Abstract

This invention relates to the palm oil mill process control, FFB selection and the treatment method to increase the oil content of FFB. The method uses 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (Ethephone), calcium carbide, and smoke to activate the FFB metabolism process. The addition of humidity (water), heat generated during the metabolism process and from external source provides more efficient effect. The separation of loose fruits using static screen is to avoid FFA level increasing. The control process is very efficient for crude palm oil processing and kernel can be remove from EFB easily to avoid burning in incinerator.

Description

EFFECTIVE TREATMENT TO INCREASE

CRUDE PALM OIL CONTENT AND TO OBTAIN

EXTRA PALM KERNEL ON FRESH FRUIT BUNCH

Technical Field

This invention is to increase crude palm oil content and to obtain extra palm kernel on fresh fruit bunch (FFB) by introducing different treatment media that evolve or contain different type of gases : -

1) 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (Ethephone)

2) Calcium carbide

3) Smoke

The result of higher crude palm oil content is the metabolism reaction of the FFB and ethylene gas evolved from ethephone.

The result of higher crude palm oil content is the metabolism reaction of the FFB and acetylene gas evolved from calcium carbide.

The result of higher crude palm oil content is the metabolism reaction of the FFB and smoke derived from burning of Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) containing gases of methane, ethane, ethylene and acetylene.

The above treatment process allowed complete removal of fruitlets from the FFB to obtain extra kernel.

Background Art

Reasons to initiate this invention : -

In oil palm planting sector, the FFB is harvested using a special knife to cut the fruits. For old palm trees, some palm height may be more than 8 meters, thus resulting in difficulty to assess the ripeness. Normally, at least 20 fruitlets must drop from the FFB to justify ripeness, then harvesting can be done. The loose fruits are picked up by hand. The harvested fruitlets will then be sent to the mill for processing. Due to labour problems, too much of unpicked fruitlets will result in germination of those seeds. The plantation will therefore incur extra cost to clear the seedlings.

Different clones of palm have been planted and they therefore respond differently to weather changes, such as rainy and drought seasons. Some clones have very high yields at their peak seasons and very low at other seasons. These actually give a lot of management problems to the fruit transporter, plantation and the palm oil mill.

The success of industrialization provides a better working environment and income to the labourers. These have thus affected plantation labour supply as well as increased labour cost. A slight delay during harvesting especially at peak crop period will affect the schedule of the whole plantation. Insufficient labour results in over-ripe FFB and lots of rotten fruit which gives rise to higher Free Fatty Acid (FFA) content. To overcome this, some plantations indirectly adjust their program to harvest FFB earlier by cutting them when the appearance of the fruitlets is slight reddish.

The mill efficiency depends very much on FFB extraction rate. The purchase of underripe FFB might result in shortage of oil content after processing. The mills are finding it more competitive and burdensome, they may even face shortage in palm oil stock. The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has even enforced some rules and regulations on harvesting of black fruits (unripe FFB). Even with the regulations, the palm oil mills are still finding difficulties in achieving 20% FFB oil extraction rate (Economics & Industry Development Division).

Due to the demand for Bio-Diesel, the economic view of the planters have changed. Some planters feel that they have received a reasonably good income from their sales, so they prefer to have less problems by cutting underripe FFB. The high palm oil price is able to counter the lower oil extraction rate of FFB which does not affect much of their overall income.

After realizing those problems above, the inventors have initiated the use of different type of treatment process that can actually give rise to higher oil content of FFB. After treatment, the inner layers of FFB will also respond well. The inner layer of the fruitlets can give way easily after the sterilization process. This will ensure efficient stripping of fruitlets from the empty bunch and be able to recover some kernel which sometimes does not drop out during the stripping process. The recovery of extra kernel is a credit to the palm oil mill.

This invention specifically aims at the treatment method of FFB at the palm oil mill for easy control. For treatment by individual planters, middlemen, and dealers before sending the fruits to the mill, it has a similar effect but will result in difficulty to control the quality of the fruits.

Description of the Drawings

In order that this invention be more easily understood with the accompanying flow diagram and the detailed description that follows hereinafter wherein specific embodiments are described as non-limiting example, in which :

Figure 1 is a flow diagram of FFB received from weigh-bridge department to palm oil mill processing.

Figure 2 is a flow diagram of FFB received from weigh-bridge department and treated with 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid to palm oil mill processing.

Figure 3 is a flow diagram of FFB received from weigh-bridge department and treated with calcium carbide to palm oil mill processing.

Figure 4 is a flow diagram of FFB received from weigh-bridge department and treated with smoke to palm oil mill processing.

Figure 5a is a top view of static screen.

Figure 5b is a side view of static screen.

Figure 6a is a top view of FFB storage partition.

Figure 6b is a side view of FFB storage partition.

Description of Invention

Treatment Process

Our invention is illustrated with a description of treatment process and the method on pre-selection of FFB. Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB) Oil Palm Fruit Grading Manual (2003) grouping the fruits as : - ripe bunch, underripe bunch and unripe bunch.

Ripe bunch is a fresh bunch which has reddish orange colour and the outer layer fruitlet's mesocarp is orange in colour. This bunch has at least 10 fresh sockets of detached fruits and more than fifty percent of the fruits still attached to the bunch at the time of inspection at the mill. (MPOB, 2003)

Underripe bunch is a fresh bunch which has reddish orange colour or purplish red colour and the outer layer fruitlet's mesocarp is yellowish orange in colour. The bunch has less than 10 fresh sockets of detached fruitlets at the time of inspection at the mill. (MPOB, 2003)

Unripe bunch is a fresh bunch which has black or purplish black fruits and the outer fruitlet's mesocarp is yellowish in colour. This bunch does not have any fresh sockets of detached fruitlets at the time of inspection at the mill (MPOB, 2003).

Static screen which shown in figure 5a and 5b are used to separate the loose fruit to prevent higher level of FFA. The mild steel static screen(ll) with side support(13) to prevent the FFB(IO) from dropping out. Intermediate gaps(12) of 75mm allowed loose fruits to fall to the bottom and remove with a conveyor belt(14). The loose fruit(15) is sent for immediate processing.

FFB storage partition is build for easy and systematic control of big capacity process and also allow better utilization space. Partition wall or walkway(lό) made by concrete or brick in figure 6a and 6b is used to separate the different batches of treated FFB. The partition or walkway is 2.5meter (high) x 0.3meter (thick). The length is 15 meter. The width between two partitions is 3.0 meter. The high capacity mill should build longer partition or walkway(16) for treatment. The FFB can started to fill at(18) and finished at(19). A cover sheet(17) used to prevent the gases being blow away.

In figure 1, the FFB received at weigh-b ridge is transfer to FFB platform or grading area. Then, the FFB is graded into 2 groups. They are unripe bunch or underripe and ripe bunch. After the selection, the unripe bunch is rejected and return to the owner. The underripe and ripe bunch are ready for mill processing. This is the normal palm oil milling process.

In figure 2, the FFB received at weigh-bridge is transfer to FFB platform or grading area. Then, the FFB is graded into 2 groups. They are unripe bunch or underripe and ripe bunch. After the selection, the unripe bunch is rejected and return to the owner. The underripe and ripe bunch are transfer from the platform or grading area and load to the static screen as showed in Figure 6a and 6b to separate the loose fruit. After this process, the FFB is loaded to treatment area. The treatment is started by spraying FFB with some water to increase humidity. 10ml 40% concentration 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid is diluted in 10 liters water tank and sprayed uniformly onto one ton bulk. A cover sheet(17) is used to prevent the evolved ethylene from being blown away. After 24 to 30 hours, the treatment process is completed. The treated ripen FFB with the appearance of reddish orange colour and lots of loose fruits showing that the oil content has increased. This is transferred to the storage area and mixed together with loose fruits(15) for processing.

In figure 3, the FFB received at weigh-bridge is transfer to FFB platform or grading area. Then, the FFB is graded into 2 groups. They are unripe bunch or underripe and ripe bunch. After the selection, the unripe bunch is rejected and return to the owner. The underripe and ripe bunch are transfer from the platform or grading area and load to the static screen as showed in Figure 6a and 6b to separate the loose fruits. After this process, the FFB is loaded to treatment area. The treatment is started by spraying FFB with some water to increase humidity. Calcium carbide is kept in a closed container and put at the centre of the bulk of FFB with ventilation holes at the side for hygienic propose. The reaction of calcium carbide and humidity produce acetylene to the surrounding. 200 grams of calcium carbide is used for 1 ton of FFB. A cover sheet(17) is used to prevent the evolved acetylene from being blown away. After 24 to 30 hours, the treatment process is completed. The treated ripen FFB with the appearance of reddish orange colour and lots of loose fruits showing that the oil content has increased. This is transferred to the storage area and mixed with loose fruits(15) for processing.

In figure 4, the FFB received at weigh-bridge is transfer to FFB platform or grading area. Then, the FFB is graded into 2 groups. They are unripe bunch or underripe and ripe bunch. After the selection, the unripe bunch is rejected and return to the owner. The underripe and ripe bunch are transfer from the platform or grading area and load to the static screen as showed in Figure 6a and 6b to separate the loose fruits. After this process, the FFB is loaded to treatment area. The treatment is started by spraying FFB with some water to increase humidity. Smoke is obtained by burning humid EFB and to be collected inside a cover sheet. The cover sheet(17) is used to prevent the smoke from being blown away. After 24 to 30 hours, the treatment process is completed. The treated ripen FFB with the appearance of reddish orange colour and lots of loose fruits showing that the oil content has increased. This is transferred to the storage area and mixed with loose fruits (15) for processing.

An economical treatment bulk should be proportionate to the mill capacity, ripe and underripe bunch are treated together to achieve a higher oil content. All FFB must be treated at the earliest possible to prevent the rise in FFA. The bulk of FFB have to be sprayed with some water to provide even humidity. If FFB is too dry, the response will not be very effective. A canvas or cover sheet(17) needs to be closed up to avoid air movement and affect the treatment process.

The treatment time is not fixed and has to be adjusted according to the ripeness of FFB. The time taken for treatment also needs to be considered so as to avoid too high level of FFA.

This treatment effect definitely increases the FFB oil content. This can be seen from the colour change and lots of loose fruits of FFB. The ripeness, clone, weather condition, treatment method and time taken will show some difference to the result.

The gases such as ethylene (ethene), acetylene, and methane have the similar effect of increasing oil content. Higher temperature conditions can speed up the metabolism process. The increase in temperature from the FFB metabolism and the effect of heat from sun-light, will provide better effect to achieve higher oil content.

For the initial 8 hours, the effect is not obvious. After sufficient gases have been accumulated, together with the metabolism effect, the FFB colour changes to more reddish orange, the oil content started to increase. At this stage, the FFB temperature increases. The synergistic effect of more gases developing together with the increase in temperature results to a higher level of FFB oil content.

For the palm oil mill who can accept producing higher level of FFA oil, the treatment time taken can be longer. This mill can achieve higher oil content and total removal of kernel from EFB. The effect of treatment on black fruit (unripe FFB) are not obvious, the treatment must be avoided.

Cited Literature

Malaysia Palm Oil Board (2003). Oil palm fruit Grading Manual. Page 4 : 30-32

Economics & Industry Development Division. http://econ.mpob.gov.my/economy /EID web.htm

Oil extraction rate for crude palm oil for the month of March 2007 January - June 2006 & 2007 (%). 2 May 2007.

Claims

1. The use of 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephone) to evolve ethylene gas to accelerate metabolism process to increase crude palm oil content of FFB.

2. The use of calcium carbide to evolve acetylene gas to accelerate metabolism process to increase crude palm oil content of FFB.

3. The use of smoke from burning of EFB to accelerate metabolism process to increase crude palm oil content of FFB.

4. The use of smoke from burning of oil palm leaf and the palm by-product to accelerate metabolism process to increase crude palm oil content of FFB.

5. The use of POME Biogas containing methane to accelerate metabolism process to increase crude palm oil content of FFB.

6. A treatment process to use ethylene gas to accelerate metabolism process to increase crude palm oil content in FFB.

7. A treatment process to use acetylene gas to accelerate metabolism process to increase crude palm oil content in FFB.

8. A treatment process to use methane gas to accelerate metabolism process to increase crude palm oil content in FFB.

9. A treatment process to use ethane gas to accelerate metabolism process to increase crude palm oil content in FFB.

10. A treatment process to use natural gas to accelerate metabolism process to increase crude palm oil content in FFB.

11. A treatment process to use liquefied petroleum gas to accelerate metabolism process to increase crude palm oil content in FFB.

12. The use of water to provide humid condition to maximize the treatment effect to claim 1 to 10.

13. The use of steam to provide humidity and temperature to maximize the treatment effect to increase crude palm oil content of FFB.

14. The increase of heat or temperature from sun-light to claim 1 to 10 to maximize the treatment effect to increase crude palm oil content of FFB.

15. The treatment process of claim 1 to 10 will ensure inner layer of fruitlets of FFB detached easily after sterilization and the recovery of extra kernel adding to extra kernel oil content.

16. The treatment process of claim 1 to ll allows easy removal of fruitlets from FFB. Less oil absorbed into EFB will result in a higher total FFB oil content.

17. AH the treatment process of claim 1 to 10 can be applied at palm oil mill, the premises of plantation, small holder, dealers, and middlemen.

18. Cover sheet can be in the form of canvas, polyethylene sheet, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet.

19. Static screen can be used to separate loose fruits from FFB to prevent rises of FFA during the treatment process.

20. Rotary drum stripper can be used to separate loose fruits from FFB to prevent the rise of FFA in treatment process

21 Partition is build for easy and systematic control of big capacity treatment process and also allowed for better utilization of platform space.