Design and Fabrication of a Palm Kernel Oil Expeller Machine

摘要

The aim of this work is to design and fabricate an effective palm kernel oil expeller machine. A high torque and low rotational speed palm kernel oil expeller machine was developed by introducing an adjustable choke mechanism that permits adjustment of the back pressure to regulate the thickness and dryness of the pressed cake passing through the clearance between the barrel and the screw shaft. The machine components such as hopper, the expelling chamber; shaft; adjustable choke mechanism; pulleys; belts etc were designed and then fabricated using techniques such as cutting, welding, drilling, bending, and casting, etc. The machine design enables cold palm kernel seeds to be processed without pretreatment, the breaking and cooking operation being performed by the action of the screw shaft within the barrel of the unit. The machine has a nominal input capacity of approximately 280kg/hr when driven by a 10hp Electric motor.