A mini oil mill, also known as a mini oil expeller, is a small-scale processing unit designed to extract oil from various oilseeds. It is a simplified version of larger oil mill plants and is often used by small-scale farmers, entrepreneurs, or individuals interested in producing their edible oils. Mini oil mills are typically compact, easy to operate, and affordable.
Here are the basic components and processes involved in a mini oil mill:
Seed Cleaning: The first step involves cleaning the oilseeds (such as sunflower seeds, soybeans, peanuts, or other oil-bearing crops) to remove impurities like dirt and stones.
Seed Crushing: Cleaned seeds are then fed into the mini oil expeller, where they undergo mechanical pressing to extract the oil. The pressing is usually done using a screw press or expeller.
Oil Filtration: The extracted oil may contain impurities and residues. Filtration is employed to remove these impurities and obtain a cleaner, more refined oil.
Oil Storage: The filtered oil is stored in containers for further use or packaging.
By-Product Utilization: Some mini oil mills may also have facilities to process by-products, such as oil cake or meal, which can be used as animal feed or fertilizer.
Mini-oil mills are versatile and can be used to produce a variety of edible oils, depending on the type of oilseed used. The scale of production is smaller compared to large-scale oil mills, making them suitable for small farmers or entrepreneurs who want to produce oil for personal use, local markets, or small businesses.