STUDENT INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT REPORT

By
Muthama David .M.
S11/21490/14

Submitted to the Chemistry Department as partial fulfillment of the degree in Bachelor of

Science, Chemistry Major.

Egerton University

October 16, 2017

 Abstract

This report is about industrial field attachment at the Pyrethrum Processing Company of
Kenya.the diffinition of industrial field attachment, its benefits and weaknesses and objectives. A
breaf history of the pyrethrum processing company. The growing conditions of the pyrethrum
flower, its application/uses. The various products obtained from the processing pyrethrum. The
administrative structure of the company. It highlights all processes involved in production.

Analytical methods used for the analysis of pyrethrum extracts. Analytical machines used for
analysis and their calibration of these machines. Methodology of processing of pyrethrum
flowers to the various end products.
It also discusses the various new analytical skills learnt and those improved, the importance of
the industrial field attachment and recommendations.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Contents
CHAPTER ONE..............................................................................................................................................5
1.0.0 Introduction....................................................................................................................................5
1.0.1 Benefits of industrial field attachment............................................................................................5
1.0.2 Weaknesses of industrial field attachment.....................................................................................5
1.1 Objectives..........................................................................................................................................6
CHAPTER TWO.............................................................................................................................................7
Literature review..........................................................................................................................................7
2.0 Pyrethrum growth in Kenya...............................................................................................................7
2.1 Growth of the pyrethrum plant.........................................................................................................8
2.2 Pyrethrum Products.........................................................................................................................10
2.3 Applications.....................................................................................................................................10
CHAPTER THREE........................................................................................................................................11
3.0.0 Methodology....................................................................................................................................11
3.1.0 Factory..........................................................................................................................................12
3.1.1 Flower reception...........................................................................................................................12
3.1.2 Grinding plant...............................................................................................................................13
3.1.3 Powder plant................................................................................................................................13
3.1.4 The extraction plant......................................................................................................................13
3.1.5 Refinery section............................................................................................................................14
3.1.6 Formulation warehouse................................................................................................................14
3.1.7 Dispatch warehouse.....................................................................................................................14
3.2.0 The quality control and assurance section....................................................................................14
3.2.2 The Process control lab.................................................................................................................16
3.2.3 The quality control lab and the research lab.................................................................................17
3.2.4 The chemical lab...........................................................................................................................17
3.3 Discussion........................................................................................................................................20
3.4 Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................21
3.5 Recommendations...........................................................................................................................21
References.............................................................................................................................................22
YFIGURE 1 THE PYRETHRUM FLOWER......................................................................................................................................8
FIGURE 2 RECENT TREND OF PYRETHRUM PRODUCTION IN KENYA................................................................................................8
FIGURE 3 SILOS.................................................................................................................................................................13
FIGURE 4 PROCESS CONTROL LAB........................................................................................................................................15

Acknowledgement
I would like to thank the Almighty God, my guardians and Egerton University for the
opportunity of taking part in the industrial attachment program.
The time spent at the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya during the industrial field
attachment program was very successful, with the help of a number of people. I would like to
acknowledge the all the pyrethrum quality control and assurance stuff for the much contribution
they have made to make my stay at pyrethrum processing company of Kenya very productive.

Date Signature
Mrs. Elizabeth Lubia- Training Officer …………………… ……………………..

Mr. Vincent Ouma- QA Manager …………………… ……………………..

Mr. Francis Njoroge- Chief Technologist …………………… ………………….......

CHAPTER ONE
1.0.0 Introduction
Industrial attachment is a structured, credit bearing work experience in a professional
work setting during which the student applies and acquires knowledge and skills. It involves the
application of learned skills in an organization related to the student major. The industrial work
experience is an integrated part of the university curriculum. It requires that every student should
undergo a minimum of two months for industrial work. The purpose of this exercise is to try as
much as possible to make the training relevant to the job requirements in the industry. It is very
important to provide exposure to students to industrial work culture, through actual involvement
in the real working environment. It provides students with opportunities to apply skills acquired
in class to real industrial work situations. There was also the introduction of students to
technologies, which were not available to them in their learning institutions. Building confidence
in technical operation, problem solving, team work and working with professionals in a real
working environment.

1.0.1 Benefits of industrial field attachment

 Exploring career interests.
 Learning new skills.
 Gaining work experience.
 Developing a professional network and understanding work place expectations.

1.0.2 Weaknesses of industrial field attachment

 The period of attachment was uncertain and not enough time was allocated for the
industrial field attachment.
 The cost involved may be expensive for those who may have their attachment in places
they do not have relatives to stay with.
 Some students may miss industrial field attachment since they may lack a slot in an
industry. Unless there are industries ready that are ready to receive students on attachment.
 Ensuring that the learning at the work side is of high quality. Some of the industries may
not be of standard and so the quality of training to be received by the students may not be better
than what is thought in school.
I was attached at the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya in Nakuru County, at the
Department of Quality Control and Assurance, for a period of eight weeks (July and August
2017). In the industry I was able to acquire new knowledge in chemistry such as calibration of
the kern machine (digital machine used for the analysis of moisture content in pyrethrum
flowers, calibration of the UV visible spectrophotometer (used in the measurement of optical
densities of pyrethrum extracts) and setting up of apparatus such as distillation apparatus, (for
distillation of crude hexane at the pilot plant) and the sox-late apparatus for the extraction of
pyrethrins from grist pyrethrum samples.
At the pyrethrum processing company learning was facilitated through apprenticeship
and observation. The industrial based supervisor, Mr. Francis Njoroge, among other lab
technologists enabled quality learning of all attachees by practical involvement in all pyrethrum
processing operations( at the labs and factory), the understanding of the skills involved in
extraction and analysis of pyrethrins(the key active insecticidal constituents of the pyrethrum
flower) and the handling of apparatus, chemical reagents and analytical machines were done
under direct supervision of skilled lab technicians and specialists in the designated fields. We
were able to fully understand the whole process of pyrethrum processing from the reception of
dry pyrethrum flowers from farmers to the final stages which include drumming of the
pyrethrum products.
I was also able to apply chemistry knowledge learnt in class and other skills learnt at the
university such as titration.

1.1 Objectives
The main objective of the industrial field attachment was to:
 Provide me with the skills and knowledge required by the industrial job market and
ensure practical application of the knowledge acquired in class in real life working
environment.
 Improve and learn more chemistry away from the class room.
 Equip me with the right kind of attitudes, collaborative and interpersonal skills as well as
professionalism through interactions with specialists in a working environment.
  Boost my competency in my area of specialization thereby shortening the on the job
training requirements in the future respective working environments.

CHAPTER TWO

Literature review.
2.0 Pyrethrum growth in Kenya
Pyrethrum was first introduced in Kenya in 1928. The pyrethrum board of Kenya was
established in 1934 to oversee the production and processing of pyrethrum for the benefit of
growers and consumers. PBK changed its name to the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya,
under the new government directorate known as AFFA umbrella (Agriculture, Fisheries and
Food Authority). The directorate was to oversee pyrethrum and other industrial crops.