MPOB tests AquaEco’s filtration system

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) is testing a palm oil raw sludge filtration system by little-known company Aqua Ecotech Sdn Bhd (AquaEco) called AquaEco-SRORS (Solids Removal Oil Recovery System) that was introduced last month.
An MPOB spokesperson said it is now working with AquaEco to test the performance of the system in terms of solid removal and oil recovery for the benefit of the palm oil industry. The testing of the entire system to remove solids, recover oil and go on a zero-waste technology is expected to be completed in June next year.
“We are not involved in the technology set-up and everything is being provided by the AquaEco as a technology provider. To us, we’re not concerned about the equipment they use. As long as they come in a complete package and have the potential to help the industry, we carry out the performance test,” the spokesperson told SunBiz.
In a press conference last month, AquaEco revealed the AquaEco-SRORS system, which allows millers to address long-standing palm oil waste sludge challenges that have been a major industry problem and a costly affair for decades. The system enables the extraction of up to 80% of the oil in the raw palm oil sludge, translating to an improvement of 0.4%-0.6% in oil extraction rate, as well output of an oil-free filtrate with no suspended solids.
“As far as MPOB is concerned, we’re looking for the complete package (towards zero-waste technology). If they (AquaEco) stop at filtration, solid removal and oil recovery, it’s fine as long as the mill is willing to go ahead with that,” explained the spokesperson.
AquaEco has defended its patented AquaEco-SRORS after a ceramic membrane producer in China circulated allegations of patent infringement on AquaEco’s system.
“Whatever claims from any party regarding the technology, AquaEco needs to be responsible,” said the MPOB spokesperson.
AquaEco had claimed that the AquaEco-SRORS is the world’s first proven and commercially viable palm oil raw sludge filtration system, but Jiangsu Jiuwu Hi-Tech Co Ltd international sales director Michael Lim rebutted that AquaEco bought a ceramic filtration system that has been around for the past 15 years via a third party Chinese company and that AquaEco had misrepresented itself about inventing the technology. 
AquaEco director Andrew Liew, in responding to the allegations, said on March 11, 2013, AquaEco submitted the AquaEco-SRORS patent application with MyIPO and was granted a certificate of grant of patent.
“Our patent was granted on a system with a combination of components and processes that are unique to AquaEco-SRORS. Without this specific set of combinations and components, the system will not produce the results that we have announced. This system was created after years of R&D and on site testings,” Liew said.
He added AquaEco had and still buys the ceramic membrane filter (CMF) from Jiuwu, but noted that this CMF can be bought from any other supplier because it is just a generic component.
“This generic CMF is only one out of 12 components that make up our entire AquaEco-SRORS,” said Liew.
On allegations that the system does not work, Liew said it has always maintained that the additional oil recovered is dependent on the crop yield and the raw sludge that is pumped into the system. Any change to the recommended standard operations will produce a lower amount of oil recovered.