HYDRAULIC OIL PRESS

Edible oil processing, both for household consumption as well as income generation, is a common practice in many parts of rural Nepal. Mustard oil is the most common edible oil produced and marketed in the country. Other oils such as soybean, sunflower, corn etc. are mostly imported. But there is another edible oil used in the country, which is not so common. Thus many people are not aware of it. It is the oil taken out of chiuri fruit seed. This type of oil is used by the Chepang community. Besides cooking purposes, Chiuri oil is also used for lighting lamps and making soap.

Traditional Process of Chiuri Oil expelling

The traditional process of expelling Chiuri oil is a tedious and time consuming process. After the Chiuri seed is dried, pounded and steamed, the powdered seed is finally expelled in the traditional expeller called Chepuwa, which is the traditional oil expeller All this requires the efforts of atleast three persons In this traditional practice, the principle followed is the higher the effort used, the higher the oil output.

Hydraulic Oil Press Machine

The hydraulic oil press is a manual machine designed by ITDG Nepal especially for expelling chiuri seed oil. It is made of mild steel frame, base and ram with 10-ton hydraulic jack to apply pressure. The seed container with pores is made of aluminium alloy. The jack, seed container and oil bowl is detachable and can be carried separately during transportation. The hydraulic press has been field tested in the Chepang community. The advantages observed include high oil yield, significant reduction in labour and less time consumed.

Operation

The pounded chiuri seed flour is put into the container and adjusted according to the position of the stationary ram and jack. As pressure is applied on the lever of the jack, the container is pushed forward until it comes in contact with the Ram. Additional pressure on the jack squeezes out the oil that comes out through the pores and collects in the bowl connected with a small outlet pipe. The jack is released after this process and the cake is separated. The operation is very simple and manageable.

Advantages in comparison to indigenous practice

• Fast expelling oil and saving time
• Higher yield
• Good quality and hygienic oil without cake residues

• Easy to operate reducing labour

Precautions

• Do not apply pressure on the jack more than what is required.
• After each process and during transportation, the oil/air knob has to be closed to prevent spillage of oil.
• The machine has to be kept clean at all times and the seed container has to be cleaned/rinsed with hot water to prevent pores being blocked with solidified oil (ghee). It is better to keep the container indoors after use to avoid contamination.
• Provide shade for the machine to safeguard it against direct sunlight and rainfall.
• Keep the machine out of reach of children.

Scope for Replication

Chiuri tree is endemic and found in most parts of the hills of Nepal. It is an important source of livelihood for the Chepang communities of Chitwan, Makawanpur, Dhading and Gorkha districts. Chiuri trees grow in most parts of Baitadi, Dadheldhura and other districts in Western Nepal as well. This simple hydraulic oil expeller can be a boon to the poor people of the region.

On-site field results have shown that while oil yielded from traditional Chepuwa is only 40 to 42 percent,oil expelled through the press machine is 74 to 78 percent. Oil expelled through slight improvements on the traditional press by fixing metal plates and using power puller has been recorded as 48 and 60 percent respectively. The initial cost of this machine on hit-and-trail basis is Rs. 6800.

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