Optimizing mechanical oil extraction of Jatropha curcas L. seeds with respect to press capacity, oil recovery and energy efficiency

Publication Type
Journal contribution
Authors
Karaj S, Müller J
Year of publication
2011
Published in
Industrial Crops and Products
Band/Volume
34/1
DOI
10.1016/j.indcrop.2011.03.009
Page (from - to)
1010-1016
Keywords
oilseeds, vegetable oil
Abstract

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2011.03.009

The objective of this study was to optimize the mechanical oil extraction of Jatropha curcas seeds by increasing the efficiency of oil recovery and decreasing oil residues in press cake. The experiments were carried out with mechanical screw press type – Komet D85-1G. Four setups were created by parameter combination of two different screws (16 and 21.5 mm choke ring size), with two different press cylinders (1 and 1.5 mm bore size), three different nozzles (8, 10 and 12 mm nozzle diameter) and three rotational speeds (low, medium and high). Oil recovery reduced when rotational speed increases for all setups; highest oil was 89.4% (m/m). The oil recovery was increasing when energy input increased and decreasing when seed material throughput increased. The relations between energy input and seed material throughput followed a strict pattern, which correlated with oil recovery. This correlation can be used for determining the optimal operation parameters.

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