Introduction Of Palm Kernel Oil Processing
Palm oil as vegetable oil is extracted from the mesocarp of the palm fruit, palm kernel oil is derived from palm kernel, the differences in these two kinds of oil is related to the level of saturated fat, palm oil and palm kernel being 52% and 86% saturated, palm oil is used more widely in food products, such as cooking oil, shortenings, margarine, and as feedstock for biofuel, as palm kernel oil is primarily used as raw ingredient within a wide range of consumer products, including soaps, cosmetics,candles and detergents.
First,the palm fruits go through a process known as sterilizing.This process can be done by either roasting which is done after threshing process or by steaming/boiling which should be done before threshing process.
Then, the palm fruits go through a process known as threshing, in which each piece of fruit is separated from the rest of the bunch. Large palm oil mill plant place the fruit in rotary drums to complete this process, while small palm oil production facilities perform threshing by hand.
After threshing, the next step in palm oil production involves pressing the fruit to separate the oil from the skin and pulp. Some facilities place the fruit into large rotating drums, which start to break down the fruit and release some of the oil. This is followed by pressing, wherein heavy metal plates are mechanically pressed into the fruit to squeeze out the oil. Pressing machines may use hydraulic or pneumatic power to process large batches at once. The oil is then diluted with water and filtered through a screen to help remove debris and impurities.