Oil point determination of Jatropha curcas L. bulk seeds under compression loading

The oil point of bulk seeds of Jatropha curcas L. seeds under compression loading was determined from an initial seed pressing height 80 mm using the pressing vessel diameter 60 mm. The dependency between compressive force and deformation was described and the mass of emerged oil was measured. From these values the lower oil point at compressive force FoI = (22,820 ± 970) N and appropriate deformation xoI = (55 ± 1) mm was identified. Analysis of results shows that the deformation of the bulk seed and the mass of oil obtained can be described by a fitted line function. Based on this function the upper oil point at compressive force FoII = (676,819 ± 97,000) N and corresponding deformation xoII = (77 ± 1) mm was also identified. The deformation energy at lower oil point required for obtaining the mass of output oil was found to be EoI = (276 ± 21) J. The relationship between the lower and upper oil points the optimal oil point was also identified at a compressive force Fop = (444,240 ± 2630) N and deformation xop = (61.6 ± 1) mm.