As the manager or technician of a medium or small palm oil mill in Nigeria, you're likely all too familiar with the persistent challenges in the industry. Low oil extraction rates, inconsistent oil quality, and high energy consumption are common headaches that can significantly impact your bottom line. But what if there was a solution that could address these issues and elevate your palm oil production to a new level?
Let's start by looking at the two main pressing techniques: cold pressing and hot pressing. Each has its own unique advantages that can be leveraged to improve your palm oil production.
Cold Pressing: Cold pressing is carried out at relatively low temperatures, typically between 40–50°C. This gentle process helps to preserve the natural nutrients and flavors of the palm oil. It also reduces the risk of oxidation and degradation, resulting in a more stable and high - quality product. However, the oil extraction rate in cold pressing is generally lower compared to hot pressing.
Hot Pressing: On the other hand, hot pressing involves higher temperatures. This method can significantly increase the oil extraction rate as the heat softens the oil - bearing cells in the palm fruits, making it easier for the oil to be released. But hot pressing may also cause some of the nutrients to be lost due to the high temperatures, and it can lead to a more unstable oil product.
By combining cold and hot pressing techniques, you can achieve the best of both worlds. The cold - hot pressing dual - process allows you to maintain a high oil extraction rate while enhancing the purity and stability of the palm oil. This combined approach can also be adjusted according to the characteristics of different palm fruit raw materials.
For instance, when dealing with high - quality palm fruits, you can start with cold pressing to retain as many nutrients as possible. Then, the remaining pulp can undergo hot pressing to extract the remaining oil. This way, you can maximize the oil yield without sacrificing too much on the quality.
To make the most of the cold - hot pressing dual - process, it's crucial to pay attention to some key control points:
Temperature Setting: As mentioned earlier, the temperature for cold pressing should be kept between 40–50°C. For hot pressing, the temperature can be adjusted within a range of 80 - 100°C depending on the raw material. Maintaining the right temperature is essential for achieving the desired oil quality and extraction rate.
Degumming Efficiency: Degumming is an important step in palm oil refining. By optimizing the degumming process, you can remove impurities such as phospholipids from the oil, improving its clarity and stability. Techniques like adding appropriate degumming agents and controlling the reaction time can significantly enhance the degumming efficiency.
Emulsification Treatment: Emulsification can occur during the pressing process, which may affect the separation of oil and water. Proper emulsification treatment techniques, such as using demulsifiers and adjusting the pH value, can help to break the emulsion and improve the oil - water separation efficiency.
In today's global market, meeting international standards is crucial for palm oil exports. The cold - hot pressing dual - process, when combined with the right refining equipment, can help your palm oil meet strict international standards such as FDA and ISO certifications. This not only enhances the marketability of your product but also gives your customers more confidence in your brand.
To support your journey towards high - quality and efficient palm oil production, we'd like to introduce the Penguin Group's intelligent fully - automatic palm oil refining machine. This state - of - the - art equipment is designed to support multiple voltage inputs and features an environmentally - friendly and energy - saving design.
With the Penguin Group's palm oil refining machine, you can optimize your production process, reduce energy consumption, and ensure that every batch of palm oil meets international quality standards. It's the ideal solution for Nigerian medium and small oil mills looking to upgrade their production and enter the international market.
Do you have any questions about the cold - hot pressing dual - process or our palm oil refining equipment? Feel free to leave a comment below, and our experts will be happy to answer your queries.