In the palm oil industry, efficient separation technology is critical to maintain high oil yield, ensure environmental compliance, and reduce operating costs. Among the available technologies, centrifuges—particularly decanter and disc stack separators—play a vital role across multiple stages of palm oil processing, from crude oil clarification to waste management.
Treating POME Effectively
Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) is a high-strength wastewater produced during the oil extraction process. If not properly managed, POME can cause significant environmental pollution due to its high chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD). Traditional methods of treating POME, such as open lagoons, require large land areas and long retention times.
Decanter centrifuges offer a more compact and efficient alternative by rapidly separating solid particles from the liquid phase. This not only reduces the load on downstream biological treatment systems but also enables the recovery of oil from the wastewater stream, contributing to overall yield improvement.
Decanter & Separator in Oil Clarification and Recovery
During the clarification stage of crude palm oil (CPO), decanter centrifuges are used to separate the oil from solids and sludge. Their continuous operation and high G-force make them ideal for handling high-volume flows, while maintaining oil quality and minimizing losses.
Disc stack separators, on the other hand, are commonly used in the polishing stage or in the refinery. They remove fine particles and water from the oil, ensuring high purity. They are also effective in recovering oil from sludge and empty fruit bunch press liquor, maximizing profitability.
Key Advantages
High efficiency in solid-liquid separation
Compact footprint compared to traditional methods
Oil recovery from waste streams
Reduced environmental impact
Lower OPEX through automation and continuous operation
As sustainability and profitability become increasingly important in palm oil production, centrifuges are proving to be a smart investment for modern palm oil mills and refineries.