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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

CPE420: INTRODUCTION TO CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

ASSIGNMENT/PROJECT/DESIGN

CEEH2201D

SEMESTER MARCH-JULY 2023

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NO. STUDENT NAME ID STUDENT

01 ROHADATUL LAILA BINTI ABDUL HASSAN 2023699174

02 NURUL FATIN NAQQIYAH BINTI MOHD NOOR 2023885462

03 NUR SYAFIYA BINTI ZULKIFLI 2023277542

04 NUR SHAKILAH BINTI ROSLI 2023197539

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. This is a group assessment. The assignment should be submitted only by the group leader in
pdf file to the assessment folder.

2. Plagiarism is not allowed. PENALTY will be given to those involved.

3. Complete the assignment in 3 weeks.

4. Late submission will not be entertained and considered as no submission.

5. The assignment should be submitted in a form of a 10-pages-report. Group number and

name of group member should be stated on the cover page.

6. Use the following file name for the submission:

Group Number_CEEH2201_A2
01 - Chemical Processes

1. Sime Darby Palm Oil Mill

Crude Palm Oil (CPO) & Palm Kernel Oil (PKO)

Station Explaination Related Diagram

Reception A reception station in a palm oil mill is a critical
facility where fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) are
received, weighed, and prepared for further
processing. The reception station is the initial point
in the palm oil milling process, where the harvested
palm fruits are brought from the plantation to the
mill for extraction of palm oil. Here's an overview of
the functions and processes typically associated
with a reception station:

1. Weighing and Recording:

 Upon arrival at the reception station, the
FFBs are weighed to determine the
quantity being delivered.
 Accurate weighing is essential for tracking
the productivity of the plantation and
ensuring fair compensation to the
suppliers.
2. Quality Inspection:
 The quality of FFBs is inspected to assess
factors such as ripeness, cleanliness, and
overall condition.
  Poor-quality or contaminated FFBs may
negatively impact the oil extraction
process, and measures may be taken to
address quality issues.

Sterilization Sterilization as the first step in palm fruit pressing is

critical to quality to the quality of the final
production- Crude Palm Oil (CPO). The purpose of
the sterilization process is inactivating the activity
of the lipase and prevent the rise of free fatty acids,
make the palm fruits easier to fall off from the fresh
fruit bunch (FFB) and soften the peel and make the
oil easier to separate out. Continuous sterilization sterilizer
process improved efficiency and reduce labour and
energy consumption and time depending of the
weight of the individual bunches that usually 60
minutes.

Threshing Threshing as the sterilized palm fruit bunches will

be transported into the drum thresher, and the
palm fruit will be separated from the stem as the
drum rotates. The stalk does not contain any oil, so
the losses in the threshing process mainly come
from the palm fruit still attached to the stalk after
threshing. Waste products include empty fruit thresher drum
bunches, fibres and shells which can be utilized for
various purposes like biomass energy or
composting.

Pressing Threshed palm fruit will be transported to the thresher

cooking pot (digester), where it is reheated with and screw
direct or indirect steam. A central shaft with stirring press
fins is installed in cooking pot, the peeled from the
core at high temperature of close to 100C. The
mixture is then fed into the screw press. The
pressing process required to extract the palm oil
from the pulp to the maximum extent without
breaking the kernels, because the palm kernel oil
after the broken kernels will contaminate the crude
palm oil and affect the quality. The use of
secondary or multiple pressing processes can be
effectively reduce the breakage rate of nuts.

Clarification The mixture in the clarification tank is crude palm

oil, water and a small amount of solid particles. The
traditional method of clarification is to use gravity
separation. The mixture will be heated to 85-90 C
and then allowed to settle for 1 -3 hours. The oil on
the surface will be sent to a centrifuge to further
remove impurities in the oil, and then sent to
vacuum drying. The slag at the bottom of the
 clarifications tank will also enter the centrifuge to
recover the crude palm oil inside and finally it will
be vacuum dried and cooled to about 45-50C and
low pressure steam- heating coils to prevent
solidification and fractionation for the storage of
the CPO.

Kernel For palm kernels processing, after the pressing and

Recovery separating, they also go through processes such as
kernel/fibber separation, kernel conditioning,
kernel crushing, kernel separation and palm kernel
drying. So, the first step to make palm kernel oil is
remove the fibre on the palm nuts, using fibre
separating machine which are to separate fibres
and nuts, to polish the nuts for cracking and to
remove the foreign material. Next cracking the
palm nuts and separating the palm kernels and
shell using the nut cracker then the kernel and shell
will enter winnower, functions to separate the shell
from kernel pneumatically. The shell from kernel
will separate through wet separation as they
entering the clay bath that the water density
chemically, modified at 1.18 using calcium
carbonate. The wet kernel will enter the kernel
drying silo as to dry the wet kernel as moisture is
less than 7.00% and lastly palm kernel will store at
the kernel bulking silo for sales.
 2. Sime Darby Biogas Plantation

In the biogas process of the palm oil mills, the primary product is biogas, which is produced through
the anaerobic digestion of organic waste, such as palm oil mill effluent(POME). By product include
organic fertilizers and treatment effluent. Residual waste may include sludge, which can undergo
further treatment or be used as soil conditioner. The biogas itself can be utilized as renewable energy
source of the heat in the palm oil mill. Efficient management of the biogas process helps in waste
treatment and harnessing energy from organic residue.

Stage Explaination Related Diagram

Covered Lagoon Biogas production as the palm oil mill
(Anaerobic effluent (POME), a by-product of the palm oil
Digester) extraction process is collected. POME will
undergo the anaerobic digestion in biogas
digesters where microorganisms break down
organic matter in absence of oxygen
producing ammonium (NH4), hydrogen
sulphide, carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane
respectively. The gas produced at the bottom
of the anaerobic lagoons lift sludge to the top
surface forming a layer of floating solids and
covering lagoons is a way to recover the
methane gas as a fuel and to control the
emissions of ammonia and other odorous
gases. The minimum retention time for single
stage anaerobic lagoon is 30 days.
Biogas Scrubber. The biogas purification is to remove the
Removes impurities. Bio gas is purified to remove
Hydrogen (H2S) impurities, especially carbon dioxide (CO2)
for corrosion using technique which is the biogas
prevention scrubbing. biogas scrubbing begins with the
capture of biogas as result of anaerobic
digestion. Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is the
scrubber tank, which allows bacteria to
naturally oxidise the compound to sulphate
and elemental Sulphur. This increases the
methane content, producing purified bio
methane gas.

Wet scrubbing is a common method used in

biogas plants to remove impurities,
particularly hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and
moisture, from the raw biogas. The wet
scrubbing process is often carried out in a
wet scrubber tank. A scrubbing solution is
prepared for use in the wet scrubber. The
scrubbing solution can be water or a
chemical solution.

Biogas Biogas dehumidification is a process

Dehumidification employed in biogas plants to remove
moisture or water vapor from the biogas
stream. Reducing the moisture content in
biogas is important for various reasons,
including preventing corrosion in pipelines
and equipment, improving combustion
efficiency, and avoiding operational issues in
downstream utilization systems.

Cooling Stage:
The first step in biogas dehumidification
involves cooling the biogas. This is often
achieved through a heat exchanger or a
cooling coil. As the biogas cools, its ability to
hold moisture decreases, leading to the
condensation of water vapor.

Condensation and Water Removal:

As the biogas cools, the water vapor present
in the gas condenses into liquid water. This
water needs to be effectively removed from
the biogas stream. Separators, traps, or
demisters are commonly used to separate
the condensed water from the gas. The
collected water is then drained from the
system.
 Drying Stage:
After the initial condensation and water
removal, the partially dehumidified biogas
may still contain residual moisture. To
further reduce the moisture content, the
biogas may be passed through a desiccant
bed or other drying agents. Desiccants, such
as silica gel or molecular sieves, selectively
adsorb water molecules from the biogas.

Biogas Purified biomethane is typically used in a

Electrification combined heat and power (CHP) system. The
biomethane is burner to produce to produce
heat, which drives a turbine connected to a
generator, generating electricity. The heat
produced during combustion can be utilized
for additional purposes, such as heating
water for industrial processes or space
heating, enhancing overall energy effiency.

Electricity Grid The generated electricity is fed into the local

electricity grid as Tenaga Nasional Berhad
(TnB) grid for distribution and uses.
02 – Safety and Health

Risk Preventive Actions Sustainable Development Goals

Fire Hazards. Implement fire prevention  SDG 3: Good Health and
Fire hazards can arise from the measures such as firebreaks Well-being (ensuring
combustion of biomass waste, and regular clearing of safety for workers and
electrical malfunctions, or combustible materials. nearby communities).
other sources. Conduct regular fire safety  SDG 11: Sustainable
drills and train personnel in Cities and Communities,
firefighting techniques. target 11.5: reduce
deaths and economic
losses from disasters.
(preventing fire hazards
in the local area).

Water Pollution. Adopting efficient  SDG 6: clean water and

Inadequate waste wastewater treatment sanitation, target 6.3:
management may lead to systems and complying with improve water quality.
water pollution from palm oil environmental regulations
processing. can prevent water pollution.

Chemical Exposure and Provide personal protective  SDG 3: Good Health and
Worker Safety. equipment (PPE) and ensure Well-being (ensuring
Workers may be exposed to its proper use. safety and health of
hazardous chemicals during Conduct regular training on workers).
the palm oil and biogas chemical handling and safety  SDG 8: Decent Work and
processing. protocols. Economic Growth
(ensuring safe and
secure working
environments).

Biogas Leakage. Implement regular  SDG Mapping: SDG 3

The release of biogas (mainly equipment maintenance and (Good Health and Well-
methane) into the atmosphere inspections. Install gas being) - Ensure healthy
poses a risk of explosion or detection systems and lives and promote well-
contributes to greenhouse alarms. Provide being for all at all ages.
emission. comprehensive training to
personnel on emergency
response procedures.

Equipment Malfunction or Conduct regular equipment  SDG 9: Industry,

Failure. Breakdowns or inspections, maintenance, Innovation, and
malfunctions in chemical and replacement as needed. Infrastructure (ensuring
processing equipment can Implement a comprehensive reliable and resilient
disrupt operations and pose equipment monitoring infrastructure).
safety hazards. system.
03 – Environmental Impact

Malaysia is the second largest palm oil production after Indonesia.

Risk Preventative Actions Sustainable Development

Goals
Greenhouse Gas Emission. Capturing methane from POME Mapping to SDG 13 (Climate
Greenhouse gas emissions can contributes to taking urgent Action) - Target 13.2:
be accounted from oil palm action to combat climate change Integrate climate change
cultivation, crude palm oil (CPO) and its impacts. measures into national
extraction and recycling or policies, strategies and
disposal of residues from the planning.
mill.

Loss of Biodiversity. Prioritize sustainable site Mapping to SDG 15 (Life on

The development of projects selection, engage in Land) - Target 15.5: Take
such as biomethane generation, comprehensive land use planning, urgent and significant
has posed a major threat to the and implement reclamation action to reduce the
biodiversity particularly for efforts to minimize the ecological degradation of natural
endangered species. footprint. habitats, halt the loss of
biodiversity and, by 2020,
protect and prevent the
extinction of threatened
species.

Water Pollution. Utilizing another POME treatment Mapping to SDG 6 (Clean

The palm oil milling process can method aligns with the goal of Water and Sanitation) -
result in water pollution due to ensuring the availability and Target 6.3.1: Proportion of
the discharge of effluents sustainable management of water domestic and industrial
containing agrochemicals and and sanitation. wastewater flows safely
palm oil processing residues.

Soil Erosion and Degradation. Promoting agroforestry practices Mapping to SDG 15 (Life on
Erosion occurs when forest is aligns with the goal of protecting, Land) - Target 15.2:
cleared, and planting occurs on restoring, and promoting promote the
steep slopes. Unsustainable sustainable use of terrestrial implementation of
palm oil cultivation practices ecosystems. sustainable management of
can lead to soil erosion and all types of forests, halt
degradation, negatively deforestation, restore
impacting the long-term fertility degraded forests and
of the soil. substantially increase
afforestation and
reforestation globally.
Climate Change. Upgrade the biogas recovery Mapping to SDG 7
Biogas created during the system to capture and utilize a (Affordable and Clean
decomposition of POME via higher percentage of biogas Energy) - Target 7.2: By
anaerobic digestion is not fully generated during POME 2030, increase substantially
recovered instead, POME is anaerobic digestion. the share of renewable
allowed to dissipate into the energy in the global energy
atmosphere mix.
References

[1] Ujang, F. A., et al. (2018). Start-up treatment of palm oil mill effluent (POME) final discharge using
Napier Grass in wetland system. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 368(1),
012008.

[2] Hosseini, S. E., & Abdul Wahid, M. (2015). Pollutants in palm oil production process. Journal of the
Air & Waste Management Association, 65(7), 773-781. DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2013.873092.

[3] SPOTT.Org. (2016, November 24). Environmental impacts. Retrieved January 9, 2024, from
https://www.spott.org/palm-oil-resource-archive/impacts/environmental/

[4] Mohammad, S., Baidurah, S., Kobayashi, T., Ismail, N., Leh, C. P. (2021). Palm Oil Mill Effluent
Treatment Processes—A Review. Processes, 9(5), 739. DOI: 10.3390/pr9050739.

[5] Ng, I. '17 (2017). The Impacts of Logging and Palm Oil on Aquatic Ecosystems and Freshwater
Sources in Southeast Asia. EnviroLab Asia, 1(3), Article 3. Available at:
http://scholarship.claremont.edu/envirolabasia/vol1/iss3/3

[6] Amin, M. A., Shukor, H., Yin, L. S., Kasim, F. H., Shoparwe, N. F., Makhtar, M. M. Z., Yaser, A. Z.
(2022). Methane Biogas Production in Malaysia: Challenge and Future Plan. International Journal of
Chemical Engineering, 2022, Article ID 2278211, 16 pages. DOI: 10.1155/2022/2278211.

[7] Murphy, D. J., Goggin, K., & Paterson, R. R. M. (2021). Oil palm in the 2020s and beyond: challenges
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[8] Okereke, J. N., & Ginikanwa, R. C. (2020). Environmental impact of palm oil mill effluent and its
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[9] Bessou, C. (2018). The keys to reduce environmental impacts of palm oil. In 3rd International
Conference Series on Life Cycle Assessment (ICSoLCA 2018) (pp. i). Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta.

[10] Sime Darby Plantations, Climate Change Sustainability

https://simedarbyplantation.com/sustainability/climate-action/

[11] TBD Media Group, Sime Darby Plantation – On a journey to stop deforestation and transforming
the industry, Dec 3, 2019: https://youtu.be/9GwFbr_LlWY?si=I2tMqDUbfEL5JgGP

[12] Sime Darby Plantation, INTRODUCTION TO PALM OIL MILLING, 23rd May 2022:
file:///C:/Users/abc/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/IE/4RR6B5U2/Introduction%20t
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[13] Green Lagoon Technology Sdn Bhd, Basic Operation of Biogas Plant,
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