Automation of the Oil Extraction Process Performed by Means of A Screw Press

Abstract The continuous development of the oil-manufacturing industries causes the necessity of improving extraction technologies. In this case, the specific interest is focused on the control systems of screw presses. Among a great variety of such machines, the small household presses are in significant demand among consumers. Various seeds and kernels require different technological conditions to be provided in order to maximize the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the extracted oil. Therefore, the main objective of this research is developing and testing the control system allowing for automation of the oil extraction process. Particularly, the temperature parameters of the pressing chamber, extracted oil, and electric motor are to be monitored and limited. In addition, the consumer should be able to predefine the mass of the oil to be extracted. Considering the small household screw press LiangTai LTP200, the general algorithm (block diagram) of the control system operation is proposed and the corresponding experimental prototype is developed. The latter is based on the Arduino Mega microcontroller and is equipped with three temperature sensors, two coolers (fans), one heater, and one mass sensor. The proposed control system allows for continuous monitoring and limiting of the pressing chamber, oil, and electric motor temperatures, as well as the mass of the extracted oil. The experimental data show that the pressing chamber preheating process lasts for about 3 min (170…190 s) and its maximal temperature does not exceed 44°C. The temperature of the extracted oil does not rise over 61°C. The motor temperature changes within the range of 69...71°C. The oil extraction productivity is as follows: 1.2 kg/h (sunflower seeds), 1.06 kg/h (walnut kernels), 0.9 kg/h (almond kernels), and 0.78 kg/h (peanut kernels). The obtained results can used in further investigations focused on analyzing the influence of these parameters on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the extracted oil.