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September 2025 (published: 16.09.2025)
Number 3(65)
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Modeling of oil-containing material flow in the channels of the pressing path of an oil press. Part 1. Pressure distribution
Starkov I.A., Melnik G. E., Starkov A.S., Lisitsyn Dmitry A.
Keywords: flow mechanics of material; vegetable edible oils; numerical modeling; pressing tract channels; confuser
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License
Modeling of oil-containing material flow in the channels of the pressing path of an oil press. Part 1. Pressure distribution
This study investigates the pressure distribution and the mechanism of particle destruction in oil-containing material flowing through the channels of a screw oil press, including confuser sections. Confusers, which are smoothly narrowing channels, play a key role in increasing the flow velocity and generating significant pressure gradients. Numerical modeling was performed using COMSOL Multiphysics software with the Laminar Flow module for a stationary regime. The Navier-Stokes equation was supplemented with the Cross-Williamson model to account for the non-Newtonian behavior of the material. The results revealed that the pressure gradient in confuser channels can reach 20 MPa/m, which is 50 times higher than in cylindrical channels without narrowing. Such high-pressure gradients promote intense destruction of seed kernel particles due to shear deformations. Analysis of elastic fields in spherical particles confirmed that the pressure gradient significantly reduces the critical pressure required for their destruction. The practical significance of the work is the possible optimization of oil press designs for improved material grinding efficiency and increased oil yield. The obtained data also contribute to the development of flow modeling methods in narrowing channels for non-Newtonian fluids.
Keywords: flow mechanics of material; vegetable edible oils; numerical modeling; pressing tract channels; confuser
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License