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When setting up or upgrading an oil extraction facility, small and medium-sized producers often face a critical decision: should they adopt secondary pressing (mechanical) or single-stage solvent extraction? Both methods have distinct advantages depending on your feedstock, capacity, and long-term goals.
| Feature | Secondary Pressing | Single-Stage Solvent Extraction |
|---|---|---|
| Residual Oil in Cake | ~4–7% | ~1–2% |
| Energy Consumption | Higher per ton of oil | Lower but requires drying |
| Initial Investment | Moderate (~$50k–$100k) | High (~$150k–$300k+) |
| Refining Complexity | Easier due to lower phospholipid content | More complex, especially for cottonseed |
| Best For | Cottonseed, peanuts, sesame | Soybeans, rapeseed, sunflower |
In practice, many successful small mills choose secondary pressing—especially when working with high-value oils like peanut or cottonseed—because it offers better control over quality, easier refining, and more predictable maintenance cycles.
“We switched from solvent extraction to secondary pressing using the ZY24 (202-3) spiral press three years ago. Our residual oil dropped from 6% to 4.5%, and our refined oil yield improved by 3%. The biggest win? Less downtime.” — Mr. Ahmed, Owner, Sudan Oil Processing Co.
The ZY24 (202-3) spiral press isn’t just another piece of machinery—it’s the backbone of continuous operation in modern small-scale oil plants. Designed for stable throughput at 2–3 tons per day (for cottonseed), this unit delivers consistent pressure, minimal wear, and easy integration into both mechanical and hybrid systems.
For example, one client in India processes 3 tons/day of raw cottonseed. With the ZY24 as their primary press, they achieved:
If you’re processing peanuts, sunflower seeds, or even canola, the same logic applies—but with different optimal settings. That’s why we recommend starting with a pilot run before full-scale deployment.
Q: How do I know if my mill is suitable for secondary pressing?
A: If your daily processing volume is under 5 tons and you're targeting premium edible oil markets (like cold-pressed peanut oil), secondary pressing typically makes more sense than solvent extraction.
Q: What if the cake has too much residual oil after pressing?
A: First, check screw speed and moisture content—too high moisture increases resistance. Second, ensure preheating temperature is between 70–85°C. Finally, consider adding a second stage (like a hydraulic press) for final oil recovery without compromising cake quality.
Remember: every oilseed behaves differently. A well-tuned spiral press adapts faster than a rigid solvent system to changes in feedstock composition.
Discover how the ZY24 spiral press helps small oil mills achieve higher yields, lower energy use, and smoother operations across multiple oil types—from peanuts to rapeseed.
Learn More About the ZY24 Spiral Press in Continuous Operation
