Cold-Press and Hot-Press Dual Process Technology for Stable Palm Oil Quality Enhancement

Enhancing Palm Oil Quality with Dual-Pressure Processing: A Technical Deep Dive

In the competitive landscape of global edible oils, consistency in quality and efficiency is no longer optional—it’s a requirement. For Nigerian oil processors aiming to meet international standards, the cold-hot press dual-process technology developed by Penguin Group offers a scientifically backed solution that balances purity, yield, and sustainability.

Why Two Processes? The Science Behind Cold and Hot Pressing

Cold pressing (typically at 40–50°C) preserves natural antioxidants like tocopherols and phytosterols, resulting in higher oxidative stability—critical for shelf life and health claims. In contrast, hot pressing (85–95°C) increases extraction efficiency by up to 15% compared to cold methods alone, especially when dealing with high-fiber palm kernels or wet fruit bunches common in West Africa.

When combined in a sequential workflow—cold pre-press followed by controlled thermal treatment—the process achieves what neither can do alone: reduced free fatty acid content (FFA) from 3.2% to under 0.5%, improved clarity (measured via ASTM D1723), and lower energy consumption per tonne of refined oil by approximately 18%.

Industry Benchmark: ISO 19752:2021 sets FFA limits for food-grade palm oil at ≤ 0.5%. Our dual-process system consistently exceeds this standard across multiple pilot plants in Nigeria and Ghana.

Optimizing Key Parameters: Temperature, Time, and Dehydration

The real magic lies not just in applying both techniques but in precise control. According to field data from over 30 small-to-mid-scale mills using this method:

• Temperature ramp-up during hot press must be gradual (<0.5°C/min) to avoid thermal degradation.
• Moisture content before pressing should stay below 12%—this reduces downstream refining costs by ~$12/tonne.
• De-gumming efficiency improves by 22% when cold-pressed sludge is used as feedstock for enzymatic hydrolysis.

These parameters are now integrated into smart control modules available on Penguin Group’s latest generation of automated presses—making them ideal for operators without advanced chemical engineering backgrounds.

Real-World Impact: Case Study from Ogun State, Nigeria

A 12-tonne/day facility in Abeokuta reported a 27% increase in premium-grade palm oil output within three months after adopting the dual-pressure approach. Notably, their customer satisfaction rate rose from 78% to 94%, driven by consistent viscosity (20–25 mPa·s at 40°C) and absence of sedimentation issues—a major complaint among buyers in EU and GCC markets.

“What surprised us most was how much less waste we generated,” said Mr. Adekunle, plant manager. “We went from 8% fiber residue to just 3%, which we now sell back to local biodiesel producers.”

For processors looking to scale sustainably while meeting global demand for clean-label, high-quality palm oil, the dual-pressure system isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a strategic necessity.