Palm kernel extraction is a specialised operation undertaken by a completely
different set of processors. They are usually better organized as a
group and are not as dispersed as palm oil processors. The kernel
processors have to go around the palm oil processors during the peak
season, when prices are lowest, to purchase the nuts for drying. The nut
processing and oil extraction is undertaken in the dry season when the
pressure to obtain raw materials has subsided.
The
traditional palm kernel oil extraction method is to fry palm kernels in
old oil or simply heat the dried nuts. The fried kernels are then
pounded or ground to a paste in a motorised grinder. The paste is mixed
with a small quantity of water and heated to release the palm kernel
oil. The released oil is periodically skimmed from the top.
Today,
there are stations in villages that will accept well-dried kernels for
direct extraction of the oil in mechanised, motorised expellers.
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