More than 60% of refineries in Nigeria are built on palm kernel oil as raw materials. This is because processing of palm kernel oil involves degumming, bleaching, deodorization, cooling, and packaging. This product is liquid at ambient conditions except during the rainy season when the product congeals due to low temperatures (<20°C).
What is palm kernel oil extraction & refining?
Palm kernel oil (PKO) extraction and refining techniques involves operations such as sorting of kernels, handling, mechanical pressing, filtration of crude oil, thermal, chemical and physical treatment of crude oil to obtain desired edible oil that suits variety of applications.
Where is palm kernel oil stored in Nigeria?
Plastic containers and metal drums are dominantly used in most areas in southeast Nigeria for the storage of palm kernel oil. Content may be subject to copyright. Content may be subject to copyright.
Why was unfractionated refined palm oil not marketable in Nigeria?
Unfractionated refined palm oil was not marketable to industrial end users in Nigeria hence the boom in the smuggling of refined bleached and deodorized palm olein from Malaysia and Singapore and the extraction of palm kernel oil for household frying.
Which state uses complete fractional process in refining palm kernel oil?
In Enugu State, 53% use complete fractional process while 25% and 22% respectively use zero refining and incomplete fractional process in refining the palm kernel oil. Imo State, mostly use complete fractional process (85%) in refining palm kernel oil. About 10% use zero refining method while 5% of the processors use incomplete fractional process.
How is palm oil produced in Nigeria?
The NIFOR and other small/medium scale fabricated equipment are employed by processors who account for more than 60% of palm oil produced in Nigeria. The following process description is for a 20 tonne per hour fresh fruit bunch mill. The bunches are collected from the fields and delivered to the mill in tipping trucks and tractors with trailers.