Screw Press Oil Extraction via Temperature Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical presses for oilseed oil extraction are inefficient, leaving a significant percentage of oil in the press cake, which reduces profitability and requires additional processing steps, while solvent extraction is capital-intensive and hazardous.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus relocates oil drain outlets to the inlet end of the screw press, incorporates temperature control via a heat exchanger, and uses a unique die assembly with adjustable choke to optimize oil extraction efficiency and reduce residual oil content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical presses are used for oil extraction, then the operation is simpler and safer compared to solvent extraction, but the oil extraction efficiency is significantly lower with high residual oil content in press cake
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameters of the oilseed by controlling temperature and moisture content before pressing. The oilseed is conditioned to specific temperature ranges (20-40°C) and moisture contents (6-12%) to optimize cell wall brittleness and facilitate oil extraction, thereby improving extraction efficiency while maintaining mechanical press safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary conditioning treatment to the oilseed before pressing, including temperature adjustment and moisture control in a conditioning chamber. This preliminary action prepares the seed material by breaking down cell walls and releasing oil, which then allows the mechanical press to achieve higher extraction efficiency without using hazardous solvents
2Loss of substance
If high pressure is applied in full press operation to maximize oil recovery, then residual oil content in press cake is reduced, but the energy consumption and mechanical stress on equipment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary oil release through controlled temperature and moisture conditioning before the pressing operation. This preliminary action softens the seed material and releases oil from cell walls, so that the subsequent pressing requires lower mechanical pressure to achieve the same extraction result, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining low residual oil content
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different local conditions within the press - the conditioning chamber maintains lower temperature and pressure for gradual oil release, while the pressing section applies focused pressure only where needed. This localized approach reduces overall energy consumption by avoiding high pressure throughout the entire processing path
3Adaptability or versatility
If pre-press operation is used to produce high porosity press cake for solvent extraction, then solvent percolation is facilitated, but maximum oil extraction is not achieved and residual oil content remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional sequence by achieving maximum oil extraction first through controlled conditioning and pressing, then producing press cake with adequate porosity as a byproduct. Rather than prioritizing porosity creation for subsequent solvent extraction, the system optimizes for oil recovery first, and the pressing process naturally creates sufficient porosity in the depleted press cake
4Productivity
If temperature is increased to maintain seeds in brittle state for cell wall breakage, then oil extraction efficiency improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the temperature parameter within a moderate range (20-40°C) that is sufficient to achieve the glass transition temperature and brittle state of seed materials without excessive heating. This parameter optimization maintains extraction efficiency while minimizing energy consumption for temperature maintenance
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances oil extraction efficiency by maintaining the seeds in a brittle state for cell wall breakage and a rubbery state for discharge, reducing solid material in the oil and achieving lower phospholipid content, thereby increasing profitability and oil quality.
Implementation Method 1
The compression section (8) of the expeller barrel (5) and the die assembly (14) are surrounded by a temperature control jacket (16) incorporating a heat exchange circuit (18)
Implementation Method 2
In compression section the screw auger is shaped to compress and break up the cell walls of the seeds to extract the oil therefrom
Implementation Method 3
the extracted oil has to flow against the direction of movement of the oilseed through the expeller body to reach the one or more drain outlets, effectively filtering the oil
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A method of extracting oil from oilseed comprising pressing seeds within a screw press including a screw auger rotatably mounted within a cylindrical expeller body, wherein the expeller body comprises a feed section, a compression section, and a discharge section, wherein at least one outlet is provided in the expeller body, preferably in or adjacent the feed section of the expeller, said method comprising the step of controlling the temperature of at least the compression section of the expeller by means such that the temperature of the material within the compression section does not exceed the glass transition temperature of the seeds.