HomeFAQBatch vs. Continuous Palm Oil Refinery for a 20 TPD Plant in Cameroon: What’s the Difference?
Batch vs. Continuous Palm Oil Refinery for a 20 TPD Plant in Cameroon: What’s the Difference?
FAQ / Chat on line / Give me a price / Date: September 17, 2026
For a 20 TPD palm oil refinery, the main difference between batch and continuous refining is how the refining stages are operated and which stages run continuously. At this capacity, the practical comparison is mainly between a batch refinery and a semi-continuous configuration, with the final choice depending on the project's actual production requirements.
1. What Does “Continuous” Mean for a 20 TPD Palm Oil Refinery?
For a 20 TPD project, a semi-continuous configuration is generally the more relevant continuous option to consider rather than a full-continuous refinery.
Here, “semi-continuous” means that the refinery combines batch-operated stages with a continuous section, rather than running every refining stage continuously.
At 20 TPD, the continuous option normally discussed is a semi-continuous configuration rather than a full-continuous refinery. For example, in Glory Oiltech (Henan Glory)’s current refinery range, batch systems cover 1–20 TPD, semi-continuous systems cover 5–30 TPD, while full-continuous systems start from 30 TPD. These ranges are product-design references rather than universal industry standards.
Three types of palm oil refinery machines from Glory Oiltech
This distinction is important because a 20 TPD refinery does not automatically have to be designed as either a fully batch or fully continuous system. The final configuration should be based on the plant’s production schedule, raw material supply, and refining requirements.
2. Batch vs. Continuous Palm Oil Refinery: What Is the Difference at 20 TPD?
The practical differences between a batch palm oil refinery and a semi-continuous configuration can be seen in the following areas:
| Comparison factor | Batch palm oil refinery | Semi-continuous palm oil refinery |
| Refining stages | Degumming, deacidification, bleaching, and deodorization are performed batch by batch in tanks. | Degumming, deacidification, and bleaching can be operated in batches, while deodorization is carried out continuously through a deodorizing tower. |
| Production flexibility | Suitable for production schedules that may vary between batches and for processing different crude oils in rotation. | Better suited to a more regular production schedule because the continuous deodorization section is designed to operate as part of an integrated process. |
| Deodorization | Uses a deodorization tank for batch operation. | Uses a continuous deodorizing tower for continuous deodorization. |
| Heating and heat utilization | Henan Glory offers two heating options for batch refineries: electric heating for 1–2 TPD and thermal oil heating for 1–20 TPD. For a 20 TPD project, the thermal oil heating option is applicable. | Can use a plate heat exchanger to transfer heat from high-temperature refined oil after deodorization to incoming cold oil, helping reduce additional heating requirements. |
| FFA recovery | A dedicated FFA recovery system is not part of the standard batch configuration described for this refinery and should be confirmed separately if FFA recovery is required. | Can include an FFA capturing and recovery system to collect volatile substances, mainly palm fatty acids, during continuous deodorization. |
| Equipment configuration | Main equipment includes a degumming tank, deacidification tank, bleaching tank, deodorization tank, filter, vacuum pump, thermal oil heater, and related supporting equipment. | Includes a refining tank, bleaching tank, leaf filter, deaerator, plate heat exchanger, cooler, continuous deodorizing tower, FFA capturing system, pumps, thermal oil heater, steam boiler, vacuum system, and related supporting equipment. |
| Plant arrangement | Relatively compact equipment arrangement with lower building requirements for a small-scale refinery. | Requires a more integrated equipment arrangement to connect the batch and continuous sections and their supporting systems. |
The choice should therefore be based on how often the plant will run, how stable the CPO supply is, and what refining functions the project requires.
3. How to Choose the Right Refinery Configuration for Your 20 TPD Project
Before choosing a refinery configuration, look at the actual conditions of your project.
Before choosing a batch palm oil refinery or a semi-continuous refinery, consider the following project factors:
| Project factor | Questions to consider | Why it matters |
| CPO supply | Will CPO be available regularly, or will supply vary throughout the year? | Raw material availability affects how consistently the refinery can be operated. |
| Production schedule | Will the plant run occasionally, by batch, or on a regular daily schedule? | The operating schedule should match the refinery configuration. |
| Crude oil types | Will the plant process only palm oil, or may different crude oils be processed at different times? | Different raw materials may require greater flexibility in production and process control. |
| Refined oil requirements | What quality specifications should the refined palm oil meet? | Product requirements affect the refining process and equipment configuration. |
| Utilities | What electricity, steam, water, heating, and cooling resources are available at the site? | Utility availability can affect the heating and supporting systems selected for the refinery. |
| Site conditions | How much space is available for the refinery and supporting equipment? | Available space can influence equipment arrangement and plant layout. |
| Future plans | Is the 20 TPD plant expected to remain at this capacity, or may production be expanded later? | Future plans should be considered before finalizing the equipment configuration. |
Real projects also show that refinery configuration is not determined by capacity alone. Glory Oiltech (Henan Glory) has supplied a 10 TPD batch-type palm oil refinery and fractionation project in Kenya, while a customer in Venezuela purchased 30 TPD semi-continuous refining equipment for palm oil and soybean oil. These projects show that refinery configuration is not determined by capacity alone.
30TPD semi-continuous palm oil refinery machine
For a 20 TPD palm oil refinery in Cameroon, the next step is therefore to match the configuration with the actual project conditions rather than choosing based on capacity alone.
Before requesting a quotation, the key information to confirm includes the CPO characteristics, expected production schedule, refined oil quality requirements, available utilities, site space, automation requirements, and future expansion plans. These details can affect the final refinery configuration and equipment selection.
Conclusion
For a 20 TPD palm oil refinery in Cameroon, both batch and semi-continuous configurations can be considered. The choice depends on the production schedule, CPO supply, refining requirements, and future plans for the plant.
Planning a 20 TPD Palm Oil Refinery in Cameroon?
Send us your CPO characteristics, production schedule, refined oil requirements, and site conditions. Glory Oiltech (Henan Glory) can evaluate the appropriate refinery configuration for your project.
What should I ask about startup and shutdown procedures before ordering a refinery?
Ask the supplier how the equipment is prepared for startup, what needs to be checked before operation, and what steps are required during shutdown. It is also useful to confirm whether cleaning, draining, or other preparation is required between production runs, especially if the plant will not operate continuously.
If I plan to process more than one crude oil, what should I provide to the supplier?
Provide the type of each crude oil and, where available, representative quality data or samples. Do not assume that the same operating parameters will apply to every crude oil. The supplier should confirm whether any changes to pretreatment, operating conditions, or equipment configuration are required.
What should I confirm if one section of a semi-continuous refinery needs to stop?
Ask whether each section can be isolated, how oil is held or transferred during an interruption, and whether stopping one section requires the continuous section to stop as well. These details should be clarified in the operating scheme before the equipment is finalized.
What should I check about utilities before the refinery is installed?
Confirm the available electrical power, heating source, steam supply, cooling water, process water, and vacuum requirements. Also check whether the local utility supply can support the planned operating schedule and whether any backup or auxiliary systems are needed.
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