The Sun F.R.P. Works

The Acid Oil Plant, manufactured from high-grade components to avoid corrosion, is fed with Soap Stock. The Soap Stock is fed into the reaction vessel and heated to approximately 90 - 95 degrees Celsius. Sulfuric Acid or a similar chemical is added to the soap stock and the reaction is given 10 minutes to complete followed by a couple of hours of boiling to allow for the acid oil to split. Finally, the mixture is allowed to settle down for several hours.

The result of this process is the formation of 3 distinct layers namely acid oil, acidic sludge, and acidic water. The third and final layer i.e. acid oil is pumped into a storage tank.

The acid water is then subjected to treatment with wash water thereby dropping the pH level of the acidic water. This resulting mixture is passed into the effluent treatment plant and that completes the acid oil plant process.

In the chemical refining process, the soap is generated during neutralization of fatty acids present in the oil. The soap is generated on a continuous basis which has about 80% of water. The typical soap mixture contains soap, neutral oil and traces of free alkali. The soapstock separated from centrifugal separator while neutralization stage is required to be disposed of. This soapstock is treated with caustic lye to saponify neutral oil and taken for splitting. The splitting is by strong sulphuric acid liberating the fatty acids and un reacted glycerides in the form of an oily mixture, generally known as Acid Oil.

The Acid oil is further washed by hot water and made free from mineral acidity. The Free Fatty Acid content in Acid oil ranges from 60 to 85% and total fatty matter content about 96%.

The product Acid Oil is brown in color and the color depends on:

• The oil from which the soaptock is generated.
• The mineral acid used for splitting

The salient features of Acid Oil Plant designed, manufactured and supplied by DVC Process Technologists:

Mechanical Agitation for acid mixing with soapstock which results into efficient soapstock splitting with reduced steam consumption, Re-circulation of acidic water for reduction in consumption of mineral acid better Acid Oil yield technically better product which is lighter in colour effluent generated is lower in acidity, no acidic fumes during process and better environment in working area due to effective collection and scrubbing of acid fumes