Abstract: The high oil content of Sunflower seeds means that mechanical extraction is always a key part of the production of Sunflower oil. Whether it is the sole means of oil extraction in a Full-Pressing plant, or an essential first stage to a solvent extraction process. This talk will examine the processing options available for mechanically extracting Sunflower oils and how these different processing options effect the operation of a Screw Press.
Furthermore understanding the reasons why mechanical extraction is used to day, and considering the particular challenges that Sunflower offers up, will help explain how to optimes the oil recovery in a Screw Press. The main processing options used in Sunflower press plants, including decortication, breaking and cooking are examined and their influence on the press and its performance are considered.
Finally strategies to measure, record and optimes the performance of Sunflower presses are presented and discussed. To paraphrase a famous management quote - If you don’t measure it, you can’t control it.
