Читать книгу Encyclopedia of Renewable Energy - James Speight G., James G. Speight - Страница 207

Extraction is a mechanical conversion process and two well-established technologies for oil extraction are (i) the simple screw press, which is a device for physically extracting the oil from the plant – this technology is well suited to small-scale production of oil as fuel or as foodstuff in rural areas, and (ii) solvent extraction, a chemical process which requires large, sophisticated equipment – this method is more efficient and extracts a greater percentage of the oil from the plant.

The process can be used to derive rapeseed oil from rapeseed. In this case, the process produces not only oil but also rapeseed cake, which is suitable for fodder. Approximately 3 tons of rapeseed is required per ton of oil.

Rapeseed oil can be esterified to obtain rapeseed methyl ester (RME) or biodiesel. This process is being used commercially on a substantial scale, especially in Europe.

See also: Biomass Extraction, Rapeseed.