As a small - scale business owner using cold press equipment, you may often encounter issues related to raw material processing and oil extraction efficiency. This article will guide you through the key steps to avoid common pitfalls and improve the performance of your cold press oil machine when dealing with sunflower seeds.
Many beginners wonder whether cleaning and shelling sunflower seeds before pressing are essential steps. In fact, it's highly recommended. Dirty seeds can introduce impurities into the oil, affecting its quality. According to industry data, cleaning the seeds can reduce the impurity content in the final oil by up to 15%. And shelling is also crucial as sunflower seed shells can lower the oil yield. Removing the shells can increase the oil extraction rate by about 10 - 15%.
"Cleaning and shelling are the foundation for high - quality oil production. It may seem time - consuming, but it will pay off in the long run." - A seasoned industry technician
Moisture content in sunflower seeds is a critical factor that affects the pressing process. If the moisture is too high, the oil will be difficult to separate from the pulp, leading to a lower oil yield. On the other hand, if the moisture is too low, the seeds may become too brittle, also reducing the oil extraction efficiency. The ideal moisture content for sunflower seeds before pressing is around 8 - 12%. You can use a moisture meter to accurately measure the moisture content and adjust it accordingly.
Pressing pressure is another key parameter in the cold - pressing process. Applying too much pressure can cause the oil to be of poor quality, as it may extract unwanted substances from the seeds. Applying too little pressure, however, will result in a low oil yield. Based on practical experience, for sunflower seeds, the initial pressing pressure should be set at around 10 - 15 MPa, and then gradually increased to 20 - 25 MPa during the pressing process.
If you find that the oil yield is lower than expected, there are several possible reasons. It could be due to improper raw material processing, incorrect moisture content, or inappropriate pressing pressure. You can also check if the equipment is worn out or not properly maintained. For example, a worn - out pressing screw can reduce the oil yield by up to 20%.
We encourage you to leave your comments and share your experiences in using cold - press oil machines. Do you have any questions about sunflower seed processing or oil extraction? Feel free to ask, and our experts will reply as soon as possible.
Remember, we provide free installation debugging + operation training, which can help you quickly master the cold - pressing core technology. If you want to improve your cold - press oil machine efficiency and oil quality, click here to learn more about our technical support and services.