Common Temperature Control Mistakes in Oil Pressing – And How to Fix Them

I’ve spent over 12 years working with mid-sized oil mills across Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe, and one thing is clear: most engineers still make the same three temperature control mistakes—despite knowing better.

Let me be blunt: poor thermal management isn’t just about efficiency—it’s directly tied to oil clarity, machine uptime, and even protein denaturation rates that affect meal quality. In fact, studies show that a 5°C deviation from optimal press temperature can reduce oil yield by up to 7%, while increasing oxidation risk by nearly 40%.

Mistake #1: Ignoring Sensor Placement

Most operators install sensors at the inlet or outlet only—but that’s like checking your car’s fuel level by looking at the gas station pump instead of the tank. You’re missing real-time data from the heart of the process.

Here’s what works: place two sensors per section—entry (around 35–40°C) and middle zone (60–65°C)—to monitor heat buildup during compression. This allows for dynamic adjustments based on raw material moisture content (typically 5–10% for soybeans). A well-placed sensor can reduce false alarms by up to 60%, according to our field tests at 30+ plants.

Mistake #2: Overlooking Moisture Impact

If you’re pressing high-moisture seeds (say, >10%), you need a segmented heating strategy—not just one fixed setpoint. For every 1% increase in moisture, you should raise the core temp by 1–2°C to maintain proper viscosity and prevent clogging.

We ran controlled trials comparing constant vs. adaptive heating. The adaptive method increased throughput by 12% and reduced energy waste by 18%. That’s not theory—it’s proven in actual production lines.

Mistake #3: Misinterpreting Alarm Codes

When an alarm triggers (like “E02” or “T-High”), don’t just reset it. First, check if it's a mechanical issue (e.g., worn bearings causing friction) or a true thermal spike. Many engineers miss this distinction—and end up with recurring faults.

Our troubleshooting guide includes a quick-reference table for common codes:

These aren’t just technical fixes—they’re daily habits that separate good operations from great ones.