From Canola to Peanut: How to Optimize Your Screw Press for Different Oilseeds

Have you ever noticed that your screw press yields significantly different oil outputs when processing canola versus peanuts—even with the same machine? You're not alone. In fact, many small and medium-sized oil mills report a 10–15% variation in extraction efficiency based solely on raw material type. The secret lies not just in the equipment but in how you fine-tune it.

“The real art of oil pressing isn’t just knowing what machine you have—it’s understanding how each seed behaves under pressure.” — Dr. Ahmed El-Sayed, Senior Process Engineer at Nile Valley AgriTech

Why One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Each oilseed has unique physical properties—moisture content, oil cell structure, and hardness—that directly affect how well it responds to compression. For example:

These aren't arbitrary numbers—they’re derived from field tests across 43 independent oil mills using the ZY24 (202-3) continuous screw press. Adjusting these parameters correctly can mean the difference between marginal profits and strong margins.

Key Adjustment Points That Make or Break Efficiency

• Pre-conditioning moisture: Too dry = poor flow; too wet = clogging and low yield.
• Ejection gap: For peanuts, reduce clearance by 0.5mm vs. canola to avoid fiber damage.
• Temperature control: Keep output temp below 95°C to preserve oil quality—especially critical for high-value oils like sunflower.

Many operators overlook the importance of dynamic adjustments during production runs. A common mistake? Setting one parameter once and forgetting it. But seeds vary batch-to-batch—even within the same crop season.

If you’re running multiple oil types, consider implementing a simple logbook system to track which settings work best for each seed. Over time, this builds an internal knowledge base that boosts consistency—and reduces waste.

And remember: even if your ZY24 model is the same across facilities, its performance hinges on how closely you align process variables with actual feedstock characteristics.

Whether you’re managing a family-run mill or a growing regional processor, optimizing your screw press isn’t just about technical know-how—it’s about making smarter decisions every day.