FAQ

Q: What is oil Press?

A: Expeller pressing (also called oil pressing) is a mechanical method for extracting oil from raw materials. The raw materials are squeezed under high pressure in a single step. When used for the extraction of food oils, typical raw materials are nuts, seeds and algae, which are supplied to the press in a continuous feed. Expeller presses can recover 75% of the oil from algae.

Q: Why should I do business with you?
This company was started by a farmer hoping to make continuous, 24/7, self-sustaining biodiesel production a reality for other farmers. We provide farmers a complete system for creating and maintaining biodiesel production directly from their cropland. Depending on your fuel needs we offer many different solutions. From mid-range needs of 200 to 300 gallons a day to high-end users who need to produce 500 to 15,000+ gallons a day, we can provide you with everything you need to get started.

When working with us you won't just receive a press and then be left on your own (unless you want it that way). We are not a big warehouse and certainly do not have the big warehouse attitude towards our customers. We will be there for you to help get your system up and running.

Q: How long have you been involved in oil press machine?

A: We have been producing oil press machine for 50 years - until this year these have been destined for export markets in Africa and the Far East, where they are used by village cooperatives and small scale rural industries for cooking oil production. The model XP100 is a derivative of one of these export machines - redesigned specifically to meet the demand for on-farm production of vegetable oil for conversion to Bio-Diesel in EU markets.

Q: How does an oil press machine work?

A: The seed is placed under increasing pressure as it is conveyed through a tapered chamber. Because of the high level of compression (and pressure generated temperature) oil is expelled through a set of rings - the residual solid matter is conveyed to the end of the press and falls away as away in thin strips of ‘oilcake’.

Q: How much oil do you usually get from one tonne of rape?

A: Approx. 250 to 300 litres of oil depending upon the original oil content/moisture content/ cleanliness of the sample.

Q: How much rapeseed can the press crush in one hour?
A: Approx. 150 kgs / hour

Q: What can I do with the crushed oilcake?

A: This can be sold/used as animal feed. There may also be a developing market for use as a solid fuel.

Q: Does Ambient Temperature affect results?

A: Oil extraction rates are dependant on temperature generated within the press and it therefore is true that if the seed is introduced into the machine at 0 oC, extraction efficiency will be affected to some extent.

Q: How clean a sample of rape is needed?

A: Our main concern is to avoid foreign objects that would damage the press - ie, stones / tramp metal. (we recommend the fitting of magnets in feed hopper). However, excessive levels of straw, trash etc will increase wear and may cause blockages.

Q: How much electrical power do I need?

A: The press is powered by a 9.2 kW 3 phase motor.

Q: How much will the press cost to run?

A: Electrical costs run at about 65p/hr

Q: Can I run an biofuel machine from a generator?

A: Yes, you will need a generator of at least 20 KVA. If the press is fitted with a speed controller it is important that a voltage monitoring system is installed to avoid damage to the inverter.

OPERATION

Q: Can the press run unattended?

A: With the correct sensors fitted and an appropriate control panel an biofuel machine process system will maintain a supply of seed to the press and will automatically shut down if there is a problem. (See diagram below)

Q: What do the different sensors in the diagram do?

A:Sensor 1 - High-level probe in hopper stops filling machine when hopper is full

Sensor 2 - Low-level probe with a timer starts filling machine if hopper is empty.

- If hopper remains empty after delay – press shuts down because no seed available.

Sensor 3 - Pressure pad senses an internal blockage in machine and press shuts down.

Sensor 4 - Flow switch senses consistent flow of cake meal – if no flow - press shuts down.

Sensor 5 - High-level safety float switch - if oil level builds up in hopper – press shuts down.

Sensor 6 - Low-level float switch switches pump on and off to control level in oil tank.

Q: Do I need an oil pump to transfer oil away?

A: No, if the press is mounted on a platform oil can flow by gravity into an IBC or tank.

Q: Do I need a cake auger?

A: Again, no, as above if the press is mounted on a platform cake can fall away by gravity

Q: What do I have to do to start the press?

A: The press should be free of all product, with no oilseed in the hopper. Release any pressure in the chamber and start press motor. Introduce the product into the screw and increase pressure to the desired level.

Q: How do I control the extraction rate of oil?

A: Tightening the boss at the inlet end of the press increases the pressure. We recommend that the press be fitted with a speed controller so that the screw speed can also be adjusted- the condition of the meal is the best visual guide to the rate of extraction of oil. Generally if the cake is coming off in thin flakes -oil extraction is at an optimum.

Q: What do I do to stop the press?

A: Run hopper empty of product and when chamber is empty release pressure ready for next start up.

THE OIL
Q: What oils can be extracted?

A: Rapeseed, Sunflower, linseed, and most other oil-bearing seeds.

Q: Where do I store pressed oil?

A: IBCs are a flexible and simple means of storage. But larger tanks could be used.

Q: Does the oil need to be filtered?

A: Generally, in our experience any solid matter in the oil settles out naturally within 2-3 days.

Q: What can oils be used for?

A: -Production of Biodiesel (Rapeseed Methyl-Esther, or RME)

-As a fuel in correctly converted engines

-As edible cooking oil

-Production of bio-friendly lubrication oils

Q: How can I produce Biodiesel from this oil?

MAINTENANCE

Q: How much maintenance is required?

A: The bearings and bushes and the adjusting block should be lubricated, and the screw and rings inspected every week. Gearbox oil should be changed every 6 months.

Q: What is the cost of spare parts?

A: Spare set of screw sections costs roughly ￡300 (depending upon the model of press)

Spare set of rings will cost approx. the same

Q: How long will the screw sections last before replacement?

A: approximately 300 tonnes depending upon the cleanliness of the sample.

Q: How long will the rings last before replacement?

A: approximately 600 tonnes depending upon the cleanliness of the sample.

Q: Will a press system fit into my building?

A: The sketch below shows a typical layout with dimensions. Of course there are many different variations and we would be pleased to discuss the best layout for your needs.

Q: Why is one extruder more than the other?
There are two main differences in why some units cost more than others.

The first is in the amount of biodiesel they can produce. We sell medium (100 gallons a day) to high production (500 to 15,000+ gallons a day) extruders. The more biodiesel the unit produces the more expensive it will be.

The second difference is in what comes with the unit. We sell both individual extruders, (meaning you only get the extruder and that's it) and we also sell complete systems that come with -- the extruder, two 300 (or 115) gallon processing tanks (needed to process or clean and store your oil), a 5 or 7.5 HP electric or 7.5 HP diesel motor (depends on which extruder you need) which runs the belt driven extruder, a thermostatically heated electric press which allows you to expel 90 to 95% of the oil within your seed, custom built shields and motor mount, one set of extra wear parts and finally instructions on how to assemble and make your own biodiesel.

Q: Do you offer large scale seed presses than what you show on the website?
Yes, we sell two larger presses at this time. A 10 Ton and a 150 Ton. We usually sell the 150 Ton piggybacked with the 10 ton which allows for the highest yields of oil. If you'd like pricing on these we can send you information, just give us a call at (360)815-7061 or email us at info@doublelephantoilpress.com

Q: In the extruding process how much oil do you get out?
With our machines we are able to expel 90 to 95% of the the percentage of oil from the seed with our heated press. So, take Soybeans for example, they contain 12-18% oil, of that percentage we take out 90 to 95% (run through our press twice) of that number. Canola, having a higher percentage of oil (40-45%), using our heated oil press, we can take out 90 to 95% (run through our press once) of the 35% found in the seed. The great thing is that the meal (or cake) is very high in protein. Again, using our Soybean as an example; its meal has a high level of protein, about 45% - where Sunflower meal has about 25%. The meal is an excellent feed for beef, swine, poultry and other livestock. Also, the meal can be sold at around 200 dollars a ton and as an example, one ton of Canola makes approx. 100 gallons of biofuel.

 

Oil Producing Plants per Acre/Ton
Crop	Oil% per Ton	Lbs. Oil/Acre	US Gal/Acre	Gal of Oil/Ton	Lbs. of Meal/Ton
Cotton	30-35%	244	35	82	1400
Soybean	12-18%	335	48	46.5	1700
Linseed (Flax)	35-40%	359	51	96	1300
Mustard Seed	35-40%	430	61	96	1300
Sesame	35-40%	522	74	96	1300
Safflower	38-45%	585	83	98	1200
Sunflowers	40-45%	714	102	123	1200
Camelina Sativa	40-45%	750	102	123	1200
Peanuts	40-45%	795	113	123	1200
Rapeseed	38-45%	795	127	96	1300
Canola	40-45%	975	133	110	1200
Pecan Nuts	45-50%	1344	191	123	1100

Approximate Gallons of Oil Per Day Based on Seed Crop & Extruder Used
Extruders	Seed Crops
	Cotton	Soy	Linseed	Mustard	Sesame	Safflower
CLB-100 (1 ton)	82	46.5	96	96	96	98
CLB-300 (3 ton)	246	139.5	288	288	288	294
CLB-500 (5 ton)	410	232.5	480	480	480	490
CLB-1000 (10 ton)	820	460.5	960	960	960	980
CLB-1500 (150 ton)	12,300	6,975	14,400	14,400	14,400	14,700
Extruders (continued)	Seed Crops (continued)
	Sunflowers	Camelina	Peanuts	Rape	Canola	Pecan
CLB-100 (1 ton)	123	123	123	96	110	123
CLB-300 (3 ton)	369	369	369	288	330	369
CLB-500 (5 ton)	615	615	615	480	550	615
CLB-1000 (10 ton)	1230	1230	1230	960	1100	1230
CLB-1500 (150 ton)	18,450	18,450	18,450	14,400	16,500	18,450

 

Q: What is the clearance or tolerance of the press?
As for clearance tolerance, it's all adjustable, and as an example; the cake/meal can be run out at .5mm thickness for the smallest setting and up to 9.5mm (3/8 in). By tightening or loosening the rings on the screw press you can get similar results and even finer control... tightening it down metal to metal (which we wouldn't advise.)

Q: Do I need to de-hull my Soy, Sunflower or Safflower seed?
No, it is not necessary. As the oil is expelled from the meat the hull gets expelled into the meal creating high quality meal with no trypsin inhibitors. You can extrude the seed strait from the combine, and as a rule of thumb, if it's clean enough to plant, it's clean enough to extrude. So,as an example, if you have some 5 year old seed sitting around, (which you wouldn't plant), you wouldn't want to run it through the press either... it's too dry at this point and you won't get much out of it.

Q: Why do you use Potassium Chloride (Potash) instead of Potassium Hydroxide (Lye)?
You may know that you can also use potassium hydroxide (the more common chem. to use), also known as Lye to make biodiesel, but it is extremely hazardous for the person using it as well as the environment (if not handle appropriately). We've found that using potassium chloride, which is Potash an ingredient in fertilizers, is much safer (for both handler and the environment) and does just as good or better job of it. It's also biodegradable. It's also cheaper and easier to find. Your local feed store should have Potash.

We've used Potassium Chloride (potash) successfully in our Biodiesel and have found it safer and more cost effective than using Lye. We use 13.25 grams per gallon of Potash and 20% per gallon of methanol. It's also more environmentally friendly.

Q: Can you Extrude Algae in your presses?
We have not tried it but have heard that it can be done using extruders like ours and running dried algae through it. Apparently there is no loss in oil regardless of if it's dried or not. Here's an article about the process as well as other useful info about this up and coming high oil yield crop. http://www.oilgae.com/algae/oil/biod/ref/ref.html

Q: Where are the Extruders manufactured?
We are made in China. The auger is made of high tinsel strength steel and the unit's housing is made of cast iron. We have been to the factory there where they make these units and they have been running for 16 to 20+ years 24/7. The only maintenance they do is switching out the wear parts every 4-6 months and oiling the lubrication points. Please note that your machine comes with a one year warranty and it comes with one set of extra wear parts (not included in the warranty). Also note that these parts can be purchased at any time on our web site here.