The mini soybean oil plant typically consists of several essential components required to extract oil from soybeans, including cleaning, crushing, extraction, and refining stages. These plants are capable of processing relatively small amounts of soybeans (from a few tons per day to 20-50 tons per day, depending on the plant's size and configuration). Despite their smaller capacity, mini plants can produce high-quality oil that meets food safety standards.

Key Components of a Mini Soybean Oil Plant

1. Soybean Cleaning Machine:
- Purpose: To remove impurities like stones, dust, and plant debris from the raw soybeans.
- Process: Soybeans are passed through sieves, air separators, and de-stoners to ensure they are clean and ready for processing.
- Importance: Proper cleaning ensures better oil yield and reduces wear and tear on machinery.

2. Soybean Cracking and Dehulling:
- Purpose: To break the soybeans into smaller pieces and remove the hulls (outer shell) before oil extraction.
- Process: Cracking rollers break the beans, and the hulls are separated using air blowers or mechanical separators.
- Importance: Dehulling improves oil extraction efficiency by reducing fiber content and enhancing oil recovery.

3. Cooking Machine (Conditioning):
- Purpose: To heat and condition the soybean flakes, preparing them for efficient oil extraction.
- Process: Soybean flakes are heated to a specific temperature and moisture level using steam or direct heat.
- Importance: Proper cooking increases oil yield and enhances the quality of the extracted oil by making the oil in the soybean cells more accessible.

4. Soybean Oil Expeller (Pressing Machine):
- Purpose: To mechanically extract oil from the cooked soybean flakes.
- Process: The flakes are fed into a screw press, where mechanical pressure squeezes the oil out of the soybeans. This method typically extracts 70-80% of the oil.
- Importance: Mechanical pressing is a cost-effective and straightforward way to extract oil, making it ideal for small operations.

5. Solvent Extraction Unit (Optional):
- Purpose: To extract the remaining oil from the pressed soybean cake, which contains residual oil after mechanical pressing.
- Process: A solvent (usually hexane) is used to dissolve the remaining oil from the cake. The solvent is then evaporated, leaving the oil behind.
- Importance: Solvent extraction significantly increases oil yield, but it requires additional equipment and expertise, so it may not be included in all mini plants.

6. Filtration System:
- Purpose: To remove solid particles and impurities from the crude soybean oil after extraction.
- Process: The oil is passed through filters to remove any remaining solids or debris, resulting in cleaner oil.
- Importance: Proper filtration ensures that the oil is clean and of good quality before refining.

7. Mini Oil Refining Machine:
- Purpose: To refine the crude oil, removing impurities such as free fatty acids, gums, and pigments, making it suitable for consumption.
- Process: The oil goes through several refining stages, including degumming, neutralization, bleaching, and deodorization.
- Importance: Refining improves the oil's appearance, taste, and shelf life, making it suitable for sale in the market.