THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROCESS IS TO PRESS THE PEANUT GRAINS FOR INDUSTRIAL USE IN ORDER TO OBTAIN PEANUT OIL AND EXPELLER. THIS IS A COLD PRESSING PROCESS.
1 · RAW MATERIAL INPUT
This process begins with the arrival of the raw material to the plant. A sample of the merchandise is taken to determine moisture, foreign bodies, soil and aflatoxin content. If these values are in accordance with those stipulated in the contract or commercial agreement, the raw material can be used.
2 · PRE-CLEANING
Operation destined to preserving the integrity of critical equipment. It basically consists of two stages: a magnetic trap to separate foreign bodies of ferrous composition, and a tilting or rotating sifter.
3 · BREAKING
As its name suggests, this operation is dedicated to breaking peanuts in quarters and/or eighths as an indispensable stage prior to cooking.
4 · LAMINATING
In this stage, the quarter and eighths coming out of the breaker are taken and laminated to a thickness of 0.3-0.4 mm. in order to favor the next cooking step.
5 · COOKING
Operation destined to conditioning broken grains until they reach the humidity and temperature values that make efficient pressing possible. The peanuts are cooked for approximately 40 minutes and reach a temperature of 115 °C.
6 · PRESSING
The separation of the liquid phase (oil) from the solid phase (expeller) is achieved by continuous mechanical pressing.
7 · EXPELLER GRINDING
In this stage, the size of the oil cake coming out of the press is reduced and homogenized. The purpose is to avoid obstructions in the cooler and to improve the cooling of the finished product.
