extraction of avocado oil from avocado pulp

EXTRACTION OF AVOCADO OIL FROM AVOCADO PULP

EXTRACTION OF 8000 TONS/YEAR OF AVOCADO OIL FROM AVOCADO PULPRONALD MANYAMA

SUPERVISED BY MR E MAHOFA

RESEARCH PROBLEMThe intention of this research is to design a process for the production of 8000 tons/year of avocado oil in Zimbabwe

To identify the best avocado oil extraction process for the Zimbabwean context.

BACKGROUNDCurrently the estates in Zimbabwe are producing 31000 tons of avocadoes per year which are exported to Europe via the Netherlands with France being the major importerThe government of Zimbabwe identified excess avocado as a potential area of innovation in their economic blueprint Zim-Asset by realizing the need to plant more avocado trees and establishing a plant for producing 14000 tons/year of avocado oil thereby increasing revenue generated from exports of avocado oil (zim-asset, 2013)This prompts the need to design and investigate a viable process for the production of avocado oil in Zimbabwe

JUSTIFICATIONZimbabwe presents a perfect viability of the project since there will be continuous supply of the raw material.Low cost process( less than 5 million dollars initial capital investment)A ready market in Zimbabwe and the export market

OBJECTIVESTo provide an economical and effective method for producing avocado oil from avocado pulp.To design the selected process for the pharmaceutical avocado oil production.To carry out an economic cost analysis of the design plant

RESEARCH QUESTIONSIs the process economical?

What is the quality of the oil produced?

How much profit can be made?

Which extraction process is the best?

LITERATURE REVIEWOnly a few countries are actually involved in the production of oil namely Mexico, USA, Israel, South Africa and New ZealandAvocado oil is used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industryVarious methods used in the past for the extraction of avocado oil are tube press, solvent extraction and hydraulic pressing.The recently developed cold pressing method appear to be the most suitable and beneficial method to extract the avocado oil. It utilizes low temperatures which help retain the healthful composition of the oil, involves minimal processing and requires less capital investment.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNExperiment for the smashing of avocado pulpExperiment for the mixing of avocado pulp and waterExperiment for the separation of avocado cake, virgin oil and water in a decanterExperiment for the separation of avocado oil, solids and water using a centrifugal sedimentation tank

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING DESIGNCold press method will be used to extract avocado oil from avocado oilDetailed design of the centrifuge will be carried out.

virgin oilSTONE REMOVERSKIN REMOVERDISINTEGRATORMIXERDECANTERCENTRIFUGESeeds SkinsWater

pulppulp

Oil

Solids Water Water CakeEXPECTED OUTCOMESA new process for producing avocado oilA model for the processA solution to a practical problem

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH

This research project is aligned with Zim-Assets value addition and beneficiation matrix by processing avocado fruits into oil thereby adding value, the waste avocado flesh and skins can be further processed into organic fertilizer.

Avocado stones or seeds can be further processed into fabric dye and ink.

Establishing an avocado processing plant for avocado oil has the potential to increase the countrys export revenue .This will prompt an increase in agricultural output from plantations and pharmaceutical industries will benefit from a local supply of the commodity.

INNOVATIONRecycling of waste water from the decanter and centrifuge to the mixer