A Steam Heat Generation System for Pre-Treatment of Oil Bearing Seeds for Efficient Oil Extraction

Abstract

A steam toasting machine for pre-treatment of oil bearing seeds was designed and fabricated by Desfabeng Company Nigeria Limited Bida, Nigeria. The major component of the machine includes; hopper, heating unit, conveyor, toasting unit, electric motor of 0.25kW and a gear motor of 0.25kW. Results of testing of the system revealed maximum oil yield of 42 %, 46%, 48 % and 40 % for neem oil (8% mc), ground nut oil (6% mc), sesame oil (6%) and shea nut (10% mc) respectively. Also the result of physicochemical analysis of the oil sample showed that the values ranged from 0.3 to 2.87 for free fatty acid, 0.38 to 2.93 mg/g for peroxide value, and 39.12 mg/g to 106.16 mg/g for iodine value. The capacity of the system was 4 tons per day. The new system will help in eliminating the shortcoming associated with direct toasting of oilseeds with open fire.