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Production of higher-value products such as biofuels, bioplastics, and personal care products from palm oil

Date:June 29, 2022

Plant Name:

    Palm

Residue Name:

    Process waste/Secondary residue

    Seed/Kernels

End Products

Biomaterials

Bioplastics

Fuel

Biofuels

Application

  • Production of higher-value products such as biofuels, bioplastics, and personal care products, potentially reducing the environmental impact of palm oil production.

Description

The project focuses on breaking down palm oil, a widely used but environmentally problematic crop, into its constituent parts using a novel enzymatic process. This process, developed by researchers at the University of Bath, uses enzymes to break down the triglycerides in palm oil into their individual fatty acids and glycerol components

Pathway Description:

The conversion process begins by extracting crude palm oil and palm kernel oil at the mill. These oils are then refined, bleached, and deodorized to eliminate impurities. Next, the refined oils undergo fractionation, separating them into liquid oleins and solid stearins, which can be further processed into higher-value products. Finally, chemical reactions such as hydrolysis and transesterification transform these fractions into oleochemicals like fatty acids and fatty alcohols, enabling their use in diverse industrial applications.

Source: Know More...

Tags: Palm Oil To Bio FuelPalm Oil DeconstructionEnzymatic Palm Oil Breakdown

End Products

Biomaterials

Bioplastics

Fuel

Biofuels

Feedstock

Types of Feedstock

Secondary agricultural residue

Name

Palm kernel oil

Form

Liquid

Logistics

Requires transportation to refineries; storage in tanks to maintain quality

Characteristics

High stability at high temperatures

Pathways

Chemical

Hydrolysis,Transesterification

Mechanical

Bleaching,Refining,Deodorizing

Stakeholders

Educational Institution

University of Bath