Pulsed Electric Field System
Boost palm oil extraction rates with the Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) System. It can improve crude palm oil extraction rates by up to 2% and oil yield by up to 10%. It can also reduce sterilization time, steam consumption, and energy costs. As a retrofit-friendly CPO solution, this pulsed electric field processing technology helps palm oil mills increase throughput, improve CPO quality, lower operating costs, and extract more value from every fresh fruit bunch.
Recover more oil, improve crude palm oil quality, and increase mill efficiency
- Improve fruit detachment and iIncrease crude palm oil extraction rates and yield
- Improve crude palm oil quality despite variations in fruit ripeness and crop quality
- Save time, energy, resources and costs through reduced sterilization time and steam demand
- Improve mill capacity and throughput due to shorter sterilization time
- Extend equipment service life through reduced wear and tear
The Alfa Laval Pulsed Electric Field System is a non-thermal pre-treatment stage that helps release more crude palm oil from fresh fruit bunches before sterilization and pressing. By facilitating fruit detachment and improving oil accessibility during downstream processing, it can help palm oil producers increase crude palm oil (CPO) extraction rates and yield while supporting CPO quality.
PEF treatment can also reduce sterilization time and steam demand. This can lower energy consumption, increase processing capacity and throughput, and help reduce operating costs. By supporting higher extraction and yield while reducing energy demand, PEF contributes to more efficient and sustainable crude palm oil processing.
Developed in partnership with Elea Technology, a global pioneer and market leader in industrial PEF technology, the Alfa Laval Pulsed Electric Field System brings advanced non-thermal pre-treatment to palm oil processing. The solution combines PEF technology with Alfa Laval's process expertise to facilitate the release of more crude palm oil before sterilization and pressing and support more efficient CPO extraction.
Improved oil extraction
Pulsed electric field processing can improve oil extraction rates by up to 2% and recover up to 10% more oil from the same fresh fruit volume, improving productivity without increasing feedstock consumption.
Efficient fruit detachment
PEF technology supports efficient crude palm oil processing by facilitating the detachment of palm fruits from fresh fruit bunches. By applying short electrical pulses, the tissue structure at the fruit attachment point is weakened, allowing fruits to separate more easily during subsequent handling and processing steps. This can help improve processing efficiency, reduce mechanical stress, and support a smoother downstream oil extraction process while maintaining product quality.
Improved CPO quality
Lower free fatty acids (FFA) levels and a higher degree of bleachability index (DOBI) support more efficient refining by minimizing oil losses and bleaching earth consumption. The result is consistently higher-quality refined palm oil.
Increased mill throughput and capacity
Shorter sterilization times and lower steam demand can free up processing capacity, reduce energy consumption and help mills make better use of existing equipment. Faster processing can increase throughput, save time and lower operating costs, supporting a more efficient and resource-conscious palm oil production process.
Reduced equipment wear and operating costs
By removing abrasive contaminants before PEF treatment and reducing mechanical stress during downstream processing, the system helps minimize wear on digesters, presses and separation equipment. This can extend equipment service life while reducing maintenance and operating costs.
PEF technology for a more sustainable palm oil industry
Alfa Laval and Elea Technology are both members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). Our membership reflects our commitment to supporting a more sustainable and responsible palm oil industry.
The Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) system contributes to a more sustainable crude palm oil production process by improving fruit detachment and enhancing oil release before pressing. Better fruit detachment enables shorter sterilization times, which in turn reduces steam consumption and thermal energy demand. At the same time, improved oil release can increase oil extraction rates and oil yield from the same amount of fruit and land use.
By combining improved fruit detachment, shorter sterilization and lower steam consumption with enhanced oil recovery, PEF technology helps improve process efficiency and resource efficiency while reducing resource consumption.
How pulsed electric field processing works
The Alfa Laval Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) System is a non-thermal pre-treatment technology to support crude palm oil extraction and can be integrated into palm oil mill processing lines before sterilization. Instead of relying on heat, PEF technology applies short, controlled high-voltage electrical pulses before sterilization and pressing. These electrical pulses increase the permeability of plant cell membranes, helping release oil more effectively during subsequent processing. This can support higher CPO extraction and yield while potentially reducing energy demand and improving downstream processability.
Pre-treatment and preparation
Fresh fruit bunches are washed to remove sand, dirt, and impurities before entering the pulsed electric field processing chamber. This helps ensure consistent operating conditions while reducing abrasive wear on downstream equipment.
Electroporation of plant cells
Inside the pulsed electric field processing chamber, fruit bunches pass between electrodes where precisely controlled high-voltage electric pulses are applied. The electrical pulses increase the permeability of plant cell membranes, creating microscopic pores through a process known as electroporation. Pulsed electric field processing preserves fruit integrity without damaging the crude palm oil through excessive heat.
Depiction of plant cell components in palm fruit.
Fresh fruit bunches entering the Alfa Laval PEF System.
1: The product enters the PEF system and the cell transits through the PEF treatment area.
2: As the pulsed electric field is applied, the cell membrane becomes charged, resulting in electrical compression, causing pore formation (electroporation)
3: Mass transport is now greatly enhanced.
4: Increasing the amount of palm oil extracted.
Selective permeability and controlled cell disruption
Electroporation increases the permeability of plant cell membranes, allowing intracellular water and soluble compounds to move more easily out of the cells. This controlled effect can reduce internal pressure and softens the fruit structure without mechanically destroying the raw material. The cell walls remain largely intact, while only targeted permeability changes occur.
Improved downstream processability
Following PEF treatment, the palm fruit structure becomes softer and more permeable. By facilitating the movement of fluids within the fruit and improving oil accessibility, pulsed electric field processing can contribute to increased efficiency in subsequent stages.
Process integration and control
As fruit bunches move continuously through the pulsed electric field processing zone, the system regulates the electrode pulse settings to deliver the appropriate level of electroporation. Treatment parameters can be adjusted in real time according to variations in raw material characteristics and production requirements, helping maintain consistent performance as fruit quality and ripeness vary.
FAQs
What is pulsed electric field (PEF) technology?
Pulsed electric field processing is a non-thermal process that uses short, controlled high-voltage electrical pulses to increase the permeability of plant cell membranes. In palm oil processing, this PEF technology helps release oil more effectively before sterilization and pressing.
Has the Alfa Laval Pulsed Electric Field System been demonstrated at industrial scale?
Yes. PEF technology has been used in continuous, industrial-scale food processing applications. Alfa Laval is collaborating with Elea Technology GmbH, a global leader in industrial PEF systems, combining Elea’s pulsed electric field processing expertise with Alfa Laval’s process knowledge to apply the technology to palm oil processing.
Industrial-scale operation of the Alfa Laval Pulsed Electric Field System in Malaysia has demonstrated up to 2% higher crude palm oil (CPO) extraction rates and up to 10% higher oil yield compared with baseline conditions.
What impact can PEF have on mill throughput?
PEF can help palm oil mills increase CPO extraction and yield, reduce sterilization time and steam demand, improve CPO quality, increase throughput, reduce equipment wear and lower operating costs.
How does PEF improve palm oil extraction?
PEF creates microscopic pores in plant cell membranes through a process called electroporation. This makes the fruit structure more permeable, helping release more crude palm oil during subsequent sterilization and pressing. The result can lead to higher CPO extraction rates and oil yields.
Can PEF improve palm fruit detachment?
Yes. Pulsed electric field processing weakens the tissue structure at the fruit attachment point, helping palm fruits detach more easily from fresh fruit bunches. This can support efficient processing even at shorter sterilization times.
Can PEF reduce sterilization time and energy consumption?
Yes. PEF treatment increases the permeability of plant cell membranes before sterilization, helping release more crude palm oil effectively during subsequent processing. Increased cell permeability can shorten sterilization cycles, reduce steam demand and energy consumption. Shorter sterilization cycles help preserve sensitive product qualities such as colour and nutritional value, supporting CPO quality.
Can pulsed electric field processing increase palm oil mill throughput?
Yes. Shorter sterilization times can free up processing capacity, allowing mills to increase throughput and use existing equipment more effectively.
Does PEF improve crude palm oil extraction and refining performance?
PEF can improve CPO quality by lowering free fatty acid (FFA) levels and improving bleachability. Higher-quality CPO can improve downstream refining performance, increase refining yields, reduce oil losses, and lower bleaching earth consumption.
Can PEF manage variations in fruit ripeness and crop quality?
Yes. Operators can adjust treatment conditions based on raw material quality and production requirements. This flexibility can help maintain consistent process performance despite variations in fruit ripeness and crop quality.
How much maintenance does a PEF system require?
The Alfa Laval Pulsed Electric Field System is a solid-state, non-thermal process designed for reliable, low-maintenance operation.