Clarification with slow stirring : Experiences and results
Publicación:
Revista Palmas; Vol. 21 Núm. especial, (2000); 340-348
0121-2923
Revista Palmas; Vol. 21 Núm. especial, (2000); 340-348
0121-2923
Abstract
A discontinuous flow, a high content of oil in sludge at the exit of the clarifier, and a non-efficient operation are the most common problems in the clarification stage of the oil extraction process. To solve the previous problems, the mill Unipalma de Los Llanos S.A. installed a primary separator of circular section, with slow agitation, in which a study was performed to try different agitation speeds and levels of dilution of incoming liquor, in order to evaluate the effect that these variables have on the content of oil in the sludge at the exit of the separator and in the losses of oil in centrifuged sludges. A better distribution of the existing equipment was also performed at this stage. The following important results were obtained: oil content in sludges at the exit of the separator from 4 to 6% in volume, decrease of the sludges to be centrifuged from 11 to 8.5 m3/h, less operation time of the centrifuges and lower losses of oil in humid base in centrifuged sludges, an optimum equipment operation with 2.4 r.p.m. and dilution of the crude to be clarified of 1.2:1 (oil : water). A clarifier with slow agitation considerably reduces the content of oil in sludge and leads the process to a stable operation. Nevertheless, it does not significantly influence the loss of oil in centrifuged sludges; this is achieved with an adequate operation of the equipment subsequent to the clarifier, maintaining a uniform flow in the system. Un flujo discontinuo, un alto contenido de aceite en lodos a la salida del clarificador y una ineficiente operación son los problemas más comunes en la etapa de clarificación del proceso de extracción de aceite de palma. Para resolver los puntos antes mencionados, la planta extractora de Unipalma de Los Llanos S.A. instaló un clarificador primario de sección circular con agitación lenta, para el cual se realizó un estudio donde se ensayaron diferentes velocidades de agitación y de dilución del licor de entrada para evaluar el efecto que tienen estas variables sobre el contenido de aceite en lodos a la salida del clarificador y en las pérdidas de aceite en lodos centrifugados, además se realizó una mejor distribución de los equipos existentes en esta etapa y un control en sus condiciones de operación. Como resultados importantes de este estudio se tienen: Contenidos de aceite en lodos a la salida del clarificador de 4 a 6% en volumen, disminución del caudal de lodos a centrifugar de 11 a 8 m3/h, menor tiempo de operación de la centrífugas y menores pérdidas de aceite en lodos centrifugados; se logró una operación óptima del equipo con una velocidad de agitación de 2,4 rpm y que dilución del crudo a clarificar de 1.2:1 (Aceite: Agua). Un clarificador con agitación lenta reduce considerablemente el contenido de aceite en lodos y conlleva a una operación estable del proceso, pero no influye significativamente en la pérdida de aceite en lodos centrifugados; esto se logra con una adecuada operación de los equipos posteriores al clarificador, manteniendo un flujo uniforme del sistema.
A discontinuous flow, a high content of oil in sludge at the exit of the clarifier, and a non-efficient operation are the most common problems in the clarification stage of the oil extraction process. To solve the previous problems, the mill Unipalma de Los Llanos S.A. installed a primary separator of circular section, with slow agitation, in which a study was performed to try different agitation speeds and levels of dilution of incoming liquor, in order to evaluate the effect that these variables have on the content of oil in the sludge at the exit of the separator and in the losses of oil in centrifuged sludges. A better distribution of the existing equipment was also performed at this stage. The following important results were obtained: oil content in sludges at the exit of the separator from 4 to 6% in volume, decrease of the sludges to be centrifuged from 11 to 8.5 m3/h, less operation time of the centrifuges and lower losses of oil in humid base in centrifuged sludges, an optimum equipment operation with 2.4 r.p.m. and dilution of the crude to be clarified of 1.2:1 (oil : water). A clarifier with slow agitation considerably reduces the content of oil in sludge and leads the process to a stable operation. Nevertheless, it does not significantly influence the loss of oil in centrifuged sludges; this is achieved with an adequate operation of the equipment subsequent to the clarifier, maintaining a uniform flow in the system.
Palabras clave:
palma de aceite
elaeis guineensis
aceite de palma
plantas de beneficio
procesamiento
aguas residuales
pérdidas por procesamiento
centrífugas
equipos
clarificación
extracción de aceite
palma de aceite
elaeis guineensis
aceite de palma
plantas de beneficio
procesamiento
aguas residuales
pérdidas por procesamiento
centrífugas
equipos
clarificación
extracción de aceite