Palm Oil Cold-Press and Hot-Press Dual Process Technology: Enhancing Oil Quality Stability

Why Dual-Process Palm Oil Extraction Is Transforming Small & Medium Refineries in Nigeria

For many Nigerian oil processors, achieving consistent quality while maintaining high yield remains a persistent challenge. Traditional single-method extraction—whether cold or hot pressing—often forces a trade-off between efficiency and purity. But what if you could have both?

The Cold vs. Hot Press Dilemma

According to industry benchmarks from the National Institute of Industrial Technology (NIIT), cold-pressed palm oil retains up to 95% of its natural tocopherols and carotenoids at temperatures between 40–50°C. However, it typically yields only 70–75% of total oil content compared to hot pressing.

In contrast, hot pressing (typically at 70–85°C) boosts extraction efficiency to 85–90%, but risks degrading heat-sensitive nutrients like vitamin E. This inconsistency makes it difficult for small-scale producers to meet international standards such as ISO 29151 or EU food safety regulations—especially when exporting to markets like Germany, UAE, or the U.S.

How the Dual Process Works: Synergy Over Trade-Offs

The solution lies in combining both methods strategically:

• Step 1: Pre-heating with Controlled Heat – Raise temperature to 65°C to soften fibers without damaging oils.
• Step 2: Cold Pressing for Purity – Extract first run oil at 45°C to preserve flavor and antioxidants.
• Step 3: Secondary Hot Pressing – Recover residual oil from cake using moderate heat (75°C).

This hybrid approach increases overall yield by up to 12–15% while keeping oxidative stability above 10 hours at 110°C—a key metric for export-grade oils.

Key Control Points That Make or Break Quality

To ensure consistency, focus on three critical variables:

1. Temperature Precision: Maintain 65±2°C during pre-heating to avoid premature degradation.
2. De-gumming Efficiency: Use 0.5% citric acid solution at pH 4.5–5.0 for optimal phospholipid removal.
3. Water Washing Optimization: Replace single-stage water wash with two-stage counter-flow washing to reduce soap formation by 30%.

These steps are not just theoretical—they’ve been tested across over 30 Nigerian refineries, resulting in an average reduction of 18% energy consumption and 25% waste generation.

Real-World Problem Solving: When Things Go Wrong

If you experience emulsification issues during refining—a common problem in humid climates—try adjusting the pH of the water phase to 4.8–5.2 or increasing flow velocity in the centrifuge to 120 rpm. These simple tweaks can prevent costly downtime and off-spec batches.

Ready to bring your palm oil production into the future? Whether you're upgrading existing equipment or planning a new facility, this dual-process method is ideal for refiners aiming for stable quality, lower costs, and easier access to global buyers.