Design of a Manual Hydraulic Press for Oil Extraction from Oil-Bearing Seeds

Abstract

Oil extraction is a crucial process necessary for sustainable food
production and energy generation. While oil producers in
developed countries may face little challenges during oil
production, local oil producers in developing countries are on the
other hand, faced with numerous problems, one of which is, the
difficulty involved in acquiring suitable oil extractors which are
cost-effective and capable of functioning without electricity. For
this study, a manually operated hydraulic press was designed for
extracting oil from oil bearing seeds. The capacity of the hydraulic
jack needed for the press was determined to be 18.6 tons. The
designed press can be fabricated using wrought iron from
unserviceable vehicles or mild steel. This press, if utilized in low
income countries, would be useful in uplifting oil production
activities for small and medium scale enterprises in the
agricultural sector.