University of Santo Tomas

Faculty of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Department

CHE 500: Industry Immersion

Salinas (IM) Corporation
Written Report

Submitted by: Kharl Angelo P. De Mesa

4ChE-A

Submitted to: Prof. Cristina Tiangco, PhD

 I. Background of the Company

Salinas (IM) Corporation is a company that specializes in the production, distribution

and marketing of salt in the industry. The word “salinas” comes from the Latin word
“salinae” which means salt works or salt ponds. The company gives services to the basic
needs of different industries of the country through salt and other industries such as water,
food and feeds. Through its deep understanding of the uses of salt, Salinas offers a wide
range of products that match and meet the specialized needs of the clients nationwide. It
also envision to create a reliable and cost-efficient delivery of products.
Salinas is the parent company of Pacific Farms, Inc., the largest salt producer in the
Philippines which is located in Bolinao, Pangasinan. Its process of solar salt making has
eight steps: preparation, flooding, evaporation, crystallization, harvesting, washing,
packing and delivery. In every step, strict quality control is maintained that enables it to
produce high quality salt with excellent efficiency.

II. Department Assigned

The Research and Development department was headed by Engr. Gerard Khonghun
who is also a salt engineer. He is the son of Johnny Khonghun which the CEO of Salinas
(IM) Corporation. This department finds ways and use its researches about salt to
improve its product to meet changing the demands of the pubic and its client. It also
handles the biological aspects of the Pacific Farms in Pangasinan with its ecosystem,
wildlife and the people around the farm.

III. Project
The interns from UST were assigned to different projects. I and Veronica was assigned
to airlift vortex generator. The objective of this project is to minimize the energy lost that
is happening in an air lift pump. The main function of the airlift pump is to lift the stagnant
brine solution from the sea to the surface. Our goal is to design a vortex generator that
will aid the air lift pump with its function. We discuss our ideas and designs with our
supervisor for the proper funding as well as what material the vortex generator will be
made of. We also help in other projects such as the Science Museum, Geodesic Dome
and Bamboo Salt Making.
IV. Acquired Learnings Based on the Course Outcomes
Applicable Student Outcomes
d-P1: An ability to function
effectively in multi-disciplinary
teams
f-K2: Understanding of
professional and ethical
responsibility
g-P2: An ability for
effective written, visual
and oral
communication
Learnings
 Learned about the goals, vision and the
way of living – the Salinas Way.
 Emphasizes teamwork to accomplish
task for every project
 Participated in Brainstorming activity and
group presentations
 Attended orientations about the Company
Profile, its operations, as well as the core
values, mission and vision of the
company.
 Gained the knowledge of the importance
of the salt industry in the market.
 Present oral presentation on an audience
as well do some paper works.
 Communicate with other workers and
clients in the company.
h-K3: The broad  Apply the concepts of engineering in
education necessary to establishing ideas on vortex generator
understand the impact  Minimize the cost of building construction
of engineering solutions on applying ideas on geodesic dome.
or research and
innovation in a global,
economic,
environmental, and
societal context
k-P5: An ability to use  Understand the importance of using CAD
techniques, skills, and in designing purposes
modern engineering
tools necessary for the
practice of chemical
engineering

l-K4: The knowledge  Able to apply different learnings in

and understanding of engineering to solve the task of our
engineering and different projects
management principles
as a member and
leader of a team, to
manage projects in
multidisciplinary
environments
m-K5: The specialized  Able to apply our knowledge on
knowledge in at least Momentum Transfer in our vortex
field of chemical generator project.
engineering practice,
and the ability to apply
such knowledge to
provide solutions to
actual problems