What is the amount of sunflower seeds required to produce one liter of sunflower oil?

Sunflower oil is a type of vegetable oil produced from sunflower seeds, which are rich in unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid and have various nutritional values. Generally, the oil content of whole sunflower seeds is about 45%, and the average density of sunflower oil is about 0.92 kg/L. Therefore, depending on the different oil production methods, the amount of sunflower seeds required to produce one liter of sunflower oil is approximately 2-2.5 kg. Let us analyze it in detail from the different oil production processes of sunflower seeds:

Usually, there are two methods for producing sunflower oil: the physical pressing method of sunflower oil and the solvent extraction method of sunflower oil.

Physical pressing method of sunflower oil

To produce sunflower oil using the physical pressing method of sunflower oil, the oilseeds need to be cleaned, hulled, and separated from the kernel to remove impurities and sunflower seed shells that may affect the oil yield. Then, the sunflower seeds are steamed in a steamer to prepare the oilseeds for pressing. After that, the oilseeds are pressed in an oil press to obtain sunflower oil and oil cake. The actual oil yield using the physical pressing method of sunflower oil is usually about 38-39%, and the residual oil rate in the oil cake is 6-7%. Therefore, the amount of sunflower seeds required to produce one liter of sunflower oil is approximately 2.36-2.42 kg.

Physical pressing method of sunflower oil photo

If your daily production is between 1-600 tons, it is recommended to use the physical pressing method of sunflower oil. For a daily production of 1-20 tons, a single screw sunflower oil press machine is suitable for small scale customers due to its simple operation. The single screw sunflower oil press machine can not only press sunflower seeds but also peanuts, coconuts, cottonseeds, soybeans, and other oilseeds. However, if your daily production reaches about 20-600 tons, a sunflower oil production line is recommended. The sunflower oil production line usually includes cleaning machines, hulling machines, kernel and shell separating screens, steaming pans, oil presses, and filtering machines.

Solvent extraction method of sunflower oil

To produce sunflower oil using the solvent extraction method of sunflower oil, the sunflower seeds also need to be pretreated, including cleaning, hulling, kernel and shell separating, steaming, to adjust the state and structure of the sunflower seeds and improve the oil extraction efficiency. Then, the sunflower seeds are subjected to pre-pressing to obtain sunflower oil and oil cake. The oil content of the oil cake obtained after pre-pressing is about 15%. After that, the sunflower oil is extracted from the oil cake by solvent extraction method of sunflower oil, and the residual oil rate can be reduced to less than 1%. Therefore, the actual oil yield of sunflower oil using the solvent extraction method of sunflower oil is close to 45%, and the amount of sunflower seeds required to produce one liter of sunflower oil is approximately 2.04 kg.

Solvent extraction method of sunflower oil photo

Our company can provide solvent extraction solutions ranging from 5-5000 tons per day. If you have a large processing volume and pursue higher oil extraction rates, it is recommended to choose vegetable oil solvent extraction equipment to extract sunflower oil. The residual oil rate of solvent extraction is lower, which can help you save costs and obtain more profits. However, it should be noted that the crude vegetable oil obtained after solvent extraction method of sunflower oil must be refined before consumption.

In summary, depending on the different oil production methods, the amount of sunflower seeds required to produce one liter of sunflower oil is approximately 2-2.5 kg. Regardless of the oil production method used, Henan Glory Company can provide you with corresponding sunflower seed oil processing equipment and customize projects according to your different requirements. If you want to obtain higher quality sunflower oil, we also have different types of vegetable oil refining machines for you to choose from.