Oil Pressing Machine: Key Specs, Applications & Performance Tips

Oil press machines are currently an indispensable machine in food processing and farming, offering efficient methods of oil extraction from nuts and seeds. Commercial large-scale production or small business selection of a suitable oil press machine and specifications, applications, and maintenance process are most important for proper performance and lifespan.

This blog provides the major specifications of oil pressing machines, industrial use, and performance tips for the best efficiency.

What is an Oil Pressing Machine?

The term "Oil Pressing Machine" is employed to denote mechanical machines that extract oil from oil-seed, nuts, and fruits by pressure or expulsion. They can vary from simple, low-scale manual machines to highly advanced automatic machines with filtering and heating facilities.

Oil pressing is one of the essential processes employed in cooking oil, biodiesel, cosmetics, and more. Pressing is the most desired because it can maintain nutritional quality and retain natural flavor.

Key Specifications of Oil Pressing Machines

In selecting an oil press machine, several specifications ascertain its performance, capacity, and versatility to process different seeds and operation sizes. Based on the specifications outlined by a Nepalese machine supplier, the following are some key parameters and good models:

1. Capacity and Throughput

• Capacity is an indication of how much raw material a machine can process in an hour or a day. It is extremely machine-size-dependent.
• Small machines like the ZJ28A have a capacity of 4-5 kg/hr and can be employed for highly small-scale operations.
• More powerful machines like ZX68 handle 1 ton per day (39-45 kg/hr), and industrial ones like ZX150 or ZX170 handle 18-20 tons per day with more than 750 kg/hr throughputs.

2. Power and Motor

• From 0.75 HP (700W) on small machines to massive 40 HP motors on the largest industrial machines.
• Motor phase and voltage (220V or 380V, single-phase or three-phase) must be identical to the operating infrastructure.
• More power implies more pressing force, efficiency, and ability to press harder seeds.

3. Heating and Filtering

• Sophisticated machines have heating systems for pre-heating seeds to realize higher oil yield and quality.
• Oil pressing with filtering capacity implies cleaner oil output with minimal post-processing.
• Heaters range from approximately 1.5 kW to higher watts based on machine capacity.
• Small machines range from 14 kg to 70 kg and are highly portable.
• Industrial equipment is 900 kg or larger and is mounted in a fixed position.
• Capacity also expands with size, from table-top machines to floor-to-whole-floor machines over 2 meters in length.

4. Other Features

• All machines come equipped with screw diameter sizes, cake thickness setting controls, and single or triple pressing facilities for greater extraction.
• Auxiliaries like filter presses, centrifugal filters, vacuum cloth filters, conveyor belts, and roaster machines are usually paired or sold in twos.

Types of Oil Pressing Machines

• Manual Oil Pressing Machines: Low-cost crank-operated models for small rural use.
• Electric Oil Expellers: Motor-powered and best for medium and large capacity pressing; typically with heaters and filters.
• Combined Machines: Integrate oil pressing, heating, and filtering into a single machine for greater automation.
• Industrial Oil Expellers: Multi-stage, capacity pressing machines, fit for factories and commercial producers.

Applications of Oil Pressing Machines

Oil pressing machines are versatile and are used in various industries, beginning from:

• Food Industry: For the press extraction of cooking oils from seeds like mustard, groundnut, sesame, soybean, sunflower, flaxseed, copra, and tea seeds.
• Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals: To produce oils utilized in creams, lotions, and medicines.
• Biofuel Production: For biodiesel production, oil extraction is required.
• Agricultural and Livestock Feed: Pelletizing oilseed cakes as animal feed.
• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): To facilitate rural and urban small-scale businesses and entrepreneurs.

Oilseed selection determines the content of oil and pressing. For instance, groundnut seeds and mustard seeds provide high oil percentages (30-50%), while cottonseed or corn germ provides low oil percentages.

Performance Tips for Oil Pressing Machines

Optimization of the performance of the oil pressing machine is by practice and maintenance.

i) Seed Preparation

• Thoroughly clean seeds and dry them prior to pressing in order to avoid contamination and improve the quality of oil.
• Heat treatment or light roasting of the seeds will improve oil recovery through seed cell killing.

ii) Machine Operation

• Refer to the manufacturer's guidelines on pressing pressure and speed.
• Maintain cake thickness without stopping the machine for continuous use.
• Operate using the recommended screw size and speed setting.

iii) Maintenance Practices

• Lubricate the moving parts occasionally to reduce wear and friction.
• Clean the machine, especially filters and pressing chambers, to prevent jamming.
• Replace wear-and-tear components like pistons, dies, and filters as needed.

iv) Troubleshooting

• Ensure abnormal noise or vibration that indicates mechanical failure.
• Check electrical components for overheating or damage, especially motors and heaters.
• Provide a dry and sanitary environment for the installation of the machine.

Models and Prices (Based on the Nepal Market)

The following are some example specifications and price points from a local Nepali source of oil pressing machinery:

Model	Capacity (kg/hr)	Power (HP)	Weight (kg)	Features	Approx Price (NPR)
ZJ28A	4-5	0.75	14	Heater included	42,000
ZJ20	15-20	4	70	Heater included	170,000
ZX68	39-45	-	-	One-time pressing	175,000 - 220,000
ZX85	60-80	7.5	320	One/three-time pressing	290,000
ZX105	60-80 (one)	7.5	320	Indian motor, heater option	420,000
ZX150	750+	40	-	Industrial high capacity	1,100,000
6YL-8080A	80-120	7.5	330	Heater and filter combined	450,000

There are additional equipment items, such as filter presses, centrifugal filters, and seed cleaners, that may be utilized with oil pressing machines.

Conclusion

Oil press machines are the backbone for efficient oil extraction from nuts and seeds of any kind. Knowing the most critical specifications, such as capacity, power, heating, and filtering, allows relevant machines to be employed to suit the needs of production.

Their applications range from food processing to cosmetics, biofuels, and agriculture. Following best practices in operation and maintenance guarantees optimal performance, lifespan, and quality of oil.

For entrepreneurs and businesspersons in Nepal and beyond who are willing to try their hand at the oil extraction business, the secret is an investment in the proper oil pressing machine that has the proper specifications and accessories.

With sizes from small-sized units of 4-5 kg/hr up to industrial-scale units running tons on a daily basis, there is an oil pressing solution available for any need and size.

Visit Changing Nepal's website or contact them directly to discover the perfect oil pressing solutions for specific needs and budgets. Empower your business of oil production today with Changing Nepal — Changing Yourself, Changes Everything.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What seeds are processed with an oil pressing machine?

A variety of oil-seed crops, such as mustard, groundnut, sesame, soybean, sunflower, flaxseed, copra, tea seeds, etc., can be processed on an oil pressing machine. Machines with seed adaptations for the processing of various seeds based on the percentage of oil and seed hardness, and with heating and filter attachments for maximum yield and quality, are available.

2. What is the maintenance to be done in an oil pressing machine to perform optimally?

Maintenance must be routine by cleaning filters and pressing chamber after each operation, lubricating mobile mechanical parts, changing consumables such as pistons and dies every now and then, checking motor and heater operations, and running the machine below set pressure and temperature parameters. This averts clogging, wear, and mechanical failure.

3. What is one-time and three-time pressing?

Single pressing is simply pressing out the oil in one operation, which is fast but may leave some of the oil stuck in the residue cake. Triple pressing is the working of the residue and applying a second pressing to obtain further oil, which yields a higher overall amount of oil but is energy- and time-consuming. Three-time pressing machines are more efficient in extraction, which is required for commercial production on a large scale.