Continuous demulsification of crude palm oil in water using fiber coalescer

Abstract

In this study, demulsification of crude palm oil in water using fiber as a coalescer was investigated. The experiments were conducted in a continuous system. Oil-in-water emulsion containing 1%wt of crude palm oil dispersed in water was used as a feedstock. The emulsion was allowed to flow through a glass column with an inner diameter of 15 mm. packed with palm fiber, nylon fiber and polyester fiber. The experiments were conducted at media heights of 100, 300 and 500 mm, flow velocities of 0.75, 1.50 and 2.25 mm/sec and operating temperatures of 60 ํC, 70 ํC, and 80 ํC, respectively. The results showed that coalescing media can be used to separate oil from oil-in-water emulsion. Palm fiber showed the best demulsification efficiency. Increasing flow velocity and media height results an increase of oil removal. Increasing operating temperature results in decreasing of oil removal.