FPG

Oleochemicals

Category: Subcategory:
FPG – Utility Plant Glycerin Acidulation pH Optimization-Validation
Report
Originator: Date Approved: Owning Area: Technical Standard #:
Faudzi Abd Rahman 15/2/2008 Refined Glycerin U001/08

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this Experimental Order is to increase Dowtherm Header

Process Control Strategy . This will also reduce the amount of salt generation in
crude glycerin. This is a concurrence type validation.

CONCLUSION:

From the EO, it is concluded that the acidulation pH can be increased up to 3 in

order to produce refined glycerin that is able to meet the specification as per
GCAS #95897935. At acidulation pH higher than 3, there is possibility that
Fatty Acid & Ester in refined glycerin is not able to meet the specification of
0.3% Max.

FINDINGS & OBSERVATIONS:

Based on the observation during the whole period of EO from July 23 2007 until
December 6 2007, few observations were made as below:

 At acidulation pH of 3 there is reduction in HCL index and NaOH

consumption. At the same time NaCl content in crude Glycerin reduce to
around 2.8%. No issue observed on crude glycerin and refined glycerin
quality.
 At acidulation pH of 3.5 and 4.0, there is quality issue on high Fatty Acid
& Ester carry over in RG distillate at Glycerin Still. FA&E content was
higher than the maximum limit of 0.35. Quality summary of Glycerin
Still distillate when acidulation pH at 3.5 and 4.0 as per attachment:

Glycerin Still Quality

Summary

Therefore the acidulation pH can only be increased up to 3. The crude glycerin

and refined glycerin quality summary during the EO period is attached below:

Crude Glycerin Refined Glycerin

Quality Quality(Still)

RECOMMENDATION:
Therefore it is recommended that that acidulation pH to be controlled between
0.5 and 3.0.Other operating parameters for Crude Glycerin recovery system is
as per table 1.

Table 1

Location Critical Parameters Range Target

Glycerin Reactor Acidulation Feed Temperature 80 max < 80

pH into reactor 0.5 – 3.0 2.5
Acidulation Interface Level 40-80 75
pH of Neutralized Glycerin 5.0 – 7.0 5.3

Glycerin Evaporation Feed Tank Level 110 - 410 405

Evaporator Pot Level 40 - 60 50
Evaporator Pressure 70 70
Pot Temperature 98 - 103 100
Crude Glycerin pH 5-7 6

Glycerin Hotwell Hotwell pH 6 - 10 7

Hotwell level 40 - 60 50

ATTACHMENT:

EO Protocol

SIGNATURES:

By signing below, we indicate that the Validation Report is sufficient to revise

the Process Control Strategy (Glycerin / Utilities) FPG-II-022.
 Role Name Signature Date
Mohd Faudzi Abd
Originator Mohd Faudzi Abd Rahman 14/1/2008
Rahman

Validation System Mohd Fairuz Azli B

Fairuz
10/2/2008
Owner Sulong

Operation Manager Azahari Bin Din Azahari

13/2/2008

QA Manager Hasni B Hj Ahmad Hasni

15/2/2008