**5.8 Clarification and drying of oil**

Last step is the processing of palm oil which separates the pure oil from the sludge in the boilers. Clarification is achieved by the separation of oil from water and other materials, the development of the characteristic product flavor, and purification of oil from contaminants. The oil from the clarification tank still contains 0.40–0.60% water and 0.10–0.20% of the sludge and other impurities that affect the quality of oil. The bulk of the water and the impurities are removed by centrifugation to bring down the moisture level. Further reduction of moisture to the optimum level of 0.1–0.15% is achieved by vacuum drying.
