Oil yield is calculated by determining the ratio of the mass of extracted oil to the mass of the initial material used for extraction, expressed as a percentage.
Here's a breakdown of the calculation:
Formula:
Yield (%) = (mo / mf) × 100
Where:
- mo = mass of the extracted oil
- mf = mass of the initial material (e.g., seeds, biomass) used for extraction
Example:
Let's say you extract oil from 100 grams of sunflower seeds (mf = 100 g) and obtain 40 grams of sunflower oil (mo = 40 g).
The oil yield would be:
Yield (%) = (40 g / 100 g) × 100 = 40%
Therefore, the oil yield in this example is 40%.
Factors Affecting Oil Yield:
Several factors can influence the oil yield obtained, including:
- Oil content of the source material: Different sources (e.g., different types of seeds) will naturally have varying oil contents.
- Extraction method: The method used to extract the oil (e.g., solvent extraction, mechanical pressing) can significantly impact the yield.
- Extraction parameters: Factors like temperature, pressure, and solvent type (if applicable) can also affect yield.
- Pre-treatment of the source material: Preparing the source material (e.g., grinding, drying) can improve oil extraction efficiency.
- Storage conditions: If the source material isn't properly stored the oil may degrade leading to reduced yield.
In summary, calculating oil yield involves determining the percentage of oil extracted from a given amount of source material. This calculation provides a measure of the efficiency of the oil extraction process.
