Simulation of palm oil expression in screw press using computational fluid dynamics: Laying the foundation

In this manuscript, a systematic detail on the approaches and considerations for producing a Computational Fluid Dynamics simulation model of palm oil expression using screw press is presented. The behavior of oil palm fruitlet components (fiber, nut, and oil) during oil extraction process will be investigated for a deeper understanding on the process since manual observation is difficult as the screw press machine is an enclosed system. The simulation would provide information on the mixing behavior of heterogeneous oil palm mixture, and consequently the degree of its compaction due to the applied hydraulic force. This simulation project is expected to produce a flexible and robust trial system to replace an expensive and time-consuming experimental runs.