FURTHER PROCESSING OF CRUDE RED PALM OIL - ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS

Introduction
In my previous posts on Palm Oil Processing Methods,I wrote about the various mechanical methods of producing crude palm oil (CPO) from from palm fruits. Cursory mention was made concerning further processing of crude palm oil (CPO)into other useful products. To see the various products which are derivable from palm oil and palm kernel oil, visit he American Palm Oil Council (APOC) website.
Processing Technologies and Routes
The first step is to refine, bleach and deodorize crude palm oil to yield RBD palm ooil. RBD palm oil is then further processed by the direct or the Oleochemical routes into several food, non-food and industrial products for the consumer markets.
The Direct Route
A few of the products that are obtained by the direct route include soap and biodiesel. To obtain soap, RBD is mixed with lye and perfumes in correct proportions, and mixed with lye and methanol (as catalyst) to make biodiesel in a biodiesel generator or reactor. The details for these processes can be obtained elsewhere.
The Oleochemical Route
Products obtainable by the Oleochemical Route include cosmetics, body care products, plastics,and
pharmaceuticals to name a few.
Renewable Energy and Environmental Considerations
In the context of renewable Energy and Environmental considerations, it is impotant to note that palm oil presents a prospect to replace crude petroleum as the world's safe source of energy. When cultivated properly palm fruits are the highest oil yielding source of all oil yielding seeds. Palm plantations are being created where existing wild groves are replaced with high yielding palm varieties without bush burning or interfering with the ability to use the land for the production of other food crops like cassava at least until the oil palm trees start yielding. In any case, there is no dearth of farming land in West Africa where the palm tree grows naturally.
Recent disasters occurring in the crude petroleum oil exploration sites like the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska underscore the importance of developing alternative sources like the palm oil Industry.
Economic Development Considerations and Investment Opportunities
Global Politics must be set aside and investments should be encouraged by the developed world into the producction of alternative energy from the palm oil industry wherever the oil palm tree grows. Such energy can be available to the world community wherever the need exists. It is renewable energy and available abundantly.
Furthermore, RBD palm oil can be fractionated, cracked and treated to yield a host of other products useful to mankind just as crude petroleum is presently utilized.
This will help to accelerate the economic development and relevance of the underdeveloped world, where the oil palm trees grow, in the global village in which we now live and also make a positive impact on the lives of the peoples of these areas.