How Is Palm Oil Pressed?

Palm oil is pressed using either a mechanical press or hot water to extract the oil from digested palm fruit material.

Methods of Pressing Palm Oil

There are two main methods for pressing palm oil, often referred to as the "dry" method and the "wet" method.

Dry Method

• Definition: The dry method involves using mechanical presses to squeeze the oil out of the digested palm fruit material.
• Process:
  1. The digested material is fed into a mechanical press.
  2. The press applies significant pressure to the material.
  3. The pressure separates the oil from the remaining solids.
  4. The extracted oil is collected, while the solid residue (cake) is discharged.

Wet Method

• Definition: The wet method uses hot water to leach the oil out of the digested palm fruit material.
• Process:
  1. The digested material is mixed with hot water.
  2. The mixture is agitated to facilitate the separation of oil and water.
  3. The oil floats to the top and is skimmed off.
  4. The remaining water and solids are separated.

Comparison of Dry and Wet Methods

Feature	Dry Method	Wet Method
Process	Mechanical pressing	Hot water leaching
Equipment	Mechanical presses	Tanks, agitators, separators
Water Use	Minimal	High
Oil Quality	Potentially higher, less oxidation	May be lower due to water contact

Practical Insights

• The choice between the dry and wet methods depends on factors such as the scale of production, available resources, and desired oil quality.
• The dry method is often preferred for larger-scale operations due to its efficiency and potentially higher oil quality.
• The wet method may be more suitable for smaller-scale or traditional production settings.