As a technical expert or production manager in an oil mill, you understand that the pre - treatment process of a medium - sized screw oil press is the linchpin for enhancing pressing efficiency and optimizing oil quality. This article delves deep into the entire pre - treatment process, offering you a comprehensive guide to technical details and practical solutions.

Raw Material Cleaning: The Foundation of Quality

Raw material cleaning, including screening, magnetic separation, and impurity removal, has a profound impact on both the lifespan of your equipment and the quality of the oil. Screening can remove large - sized impurities such as stones and straws. Magnetic separation helps eliminate ferrous metals, which can cause serious damage to the screw and other components of the oil press. By removing these impurities, you can significantly reduce equipment wear and tear, and at the same time, improve the clarity and purity of the oil. For example, a study shows that proper raw material cleaning can extend the service life of the oil press by up to 30% and reduce the oil's impurity content by 20%.

Crushing Particle Size Control: The Key to Optimal Pressing

Different oilseeds have different optimal crushing sizes, which are closely related to the pressing pressure. For instance, sunflower seeds generally require a coarser crush compared to sesame seeds. The ideal crushing size of sunflower seeds is around 2 - 3mm, while sesame seeds should be crushed to about 1 - 2mm. A suitable crushing size can ensure that the oilseeds are evenly stressed during the pressing process, thereby improving the pressing efficiency. If the crushing size is too large, the oilseeds cannot be fully squeezed, resulting in a high oil content in the oil residue. On the contrary, if the size is too small, it may cause blockages in the oil press.

Steaming and Roasting Process Optimization: Unleashing the Oil

The steaming and roasting process is crucial for protein denaturation and oil release. Parameters such as moisture, temperature gradient, and time all play important roles. The moisture content of the oilseeds before steaming and roasting should be controlled at about 8% - 12%. During the process, a strict temperature gradient needs to be followed. For example, in the initial stage, the temperature can be raised to 80 - 90°C to remove part of the moisture. Then, gradually increase the temperature to 110 - 120°C to promote protein denaturation and oil release. The entire steaming and roasting process usually takes about 30 - 60 minutes, depending on the type of oilseeds. As an industry expert once said, "Proper steaming and roasting can increase the oil yield by 5% - 10%."

Case Comparison: Sunflower Seeds vs. Sesame Seeds

There are significant differences in the pre - treatment of sunflower seeds and sesame seeds. Sunflower seeds have a relatively high oil content and a thicker shell. Therefore, in the raw material cleaning process, more attention should be paid to shell removal. In the crushing process, a coarser crushing size is acceptable. Sesame seeds, on the other hand, are smaller and more delicate. They require more precise control of the crushing size and a more gentle steaming and roasting process to avoid over - heating and loss of oil aroma.

Abnormal Situation Handling

During the pre - treatment process, you may encounter problems such as material caking, local over - heating, and screw blockages. For material caking, you can adjust the moisture content and improve the stirring method. If local over - heating occurs, check the heating system and adjust the temperature settings. When facing screw blockages, stop the machine immediately, remove the blockage, and check for any damage to the screw. Have you encountered similar problems? Welcome to leave a message and share your experiences.

Establishing SOP and Data Feedback Mechanism

To reduce human errors and improve the stability of the entire production line, it is necessary to establish a standardized pre - treatment process (SOP). Record all process parameters and production results, and form a continuous optimization loop through data analysis. This way, you can continuously improve the pre - treatment process, enhance the pressing efficiency, and optimize the oil quality.

Mastering these details, your oil press will operate more stably, and the oil yield will be more efficient. If you want to learn more about optimizing the pre - treatment process of medium - sized screw oil presses, click here for more in - depth information and practical solutions.