Seed oil processing typically involves a two-step extraction process in a commercial edible oil plant.
Steps in Seed Oil Processing
Here is a detailed look at how seed oil is processed:
1. Mechanical Extraction (Expeller Press)
- The initial stage involves mechanical extraction using an expeller press.
- An expeller press applies high pressure to the seeds, physically squeezing out the oil.
- This process is often used as a first step to remove a significant portion of the oil content from the seed.
2. Chemical Extraction (Hexane Extraction)
- Following the mechanical pressing, the remaining oil is extracted using a chemical solvent, typically hexane.
- The seed material is mixed with hexane, which dissolves the remaining oil.
- The hexane-oil mixture is then separated, and the hexane is evaporated, leaving behind the extracted oil.
- This method recovers additional oil that mechanical pressing alone cannot obtain.
- This process is a typical stage after the mechanical extraction, to maximize the amount of oil extracted from the seeds.
Combining Methods for Efficiency
The combination of mechanical and chemical extraction allows for efficient and complete removal of oil from the seeds, thus optimizing production yields in edible oil plants.
| Extraction Method | Description | Oil Recovery |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical (Expeller) | Physical pressing of seeds to extract oil. | Lower |
| Chemical (Hexane) | Use of hexane to dissolve and separate remaining oil after mechanical extraction. | Higher |
In summary, seed oil is processed using mechanical and chemical methods for optimal oil recovery. In a standard edible oil processing plant, oil is first extracted from the seed through mechanical means, using an expeller press, and is then followed by chemical extraction, typically using hexane.
