• Coconut oil milling
• Industry background
• Coconut oil is an edible oil extracted from the kernel or meat of matured coconuts
harvested from the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera). Throughout the tropical world, it has
provided the primary source of fat in the diets of millions of people for generations.
• The Philippines is presently the top exporter of coconut oil worldwide. In 1989, the
Philippines was the second largest exporter after Indonesia.
• In the Philippines, there are around 65 coconut oil mills each of copra; making the country
as the world’s biggest coconut oil supplier for the manufacture of food, personal care,
detergent goods, and animal feed.
• About 25 percent of cultivated land was planted in coconut trees, and it is estimated that
between 25 percent and 33 percent of the population was at least partly dependent on
coconuts for their livelihood. Historically, the Southern Tagalog and Bicol regions of Luzon
and the Eastern Visayas were the centers of coconut production. In the 1980s, Western
Mindanao and Southern Mindanao also became important coconut-growing regions.
• Types of coconut oils
• Centrifuge Coconut Oil
• This coconut oil has a light coconut flavor… often enjoyed by people who eat coconut
oil right off the spoon. It is made from freshly pressed coconut milk, chilled and separated by
centrifugal force. This coconut oil is considered raw and retains all of its nutrients. It’s also
usually the most expensive coconut oil you can find.
• Types of coconut oils
• Expeller-pressed coconut oil
• Expeller-pressed is a mechanical extraction process that does not rely on solvent extracts
or chemical processes. It has less coconut taste than cold-pressed or “raw” coconut oil, and
a higher smoke point. This makes it a great oil to use for cooking.
• Types of coconut oils
• Cold Pressed
• Cold pressed coconut oil is made from fresh, low temperature dried coconut flakes. It has a
stronger coconut flavor and tiny traces of the soluble constituents extracted from the dried
coconut meat. It is also considered “raw” and retains all its nutrients.
• How does it work
• Production Process (COLD PRESSED COCONUT OIL)
• Once coconuts become mature (picture beside) the meat inside becomes hard and thick.
The fibrous outer husk is removed as well as the hard shell to reveal the hard thick white
coconut meat inside.
• Mature coconuts (vs young coconuts) are used because, as the coconut matures, the oil
content in the meat increases and it is this oil content that creates a beautiful coconut oil.
• A machine is used to help to remove the very hard shell of the nut.
• Drain the coconut juice you will need to pierce 2 of the 3 the eyes of the nut and pour the
water out first.
• The next step in making the oil is to grate the thick coconut meat into fine shreds using a
grinding machine.
• Next a small amount of good quality water is mixed in with the finely grated coconut shreds.
This water allows for more of the oils to be extracted from the grated coconut when it is
pressed.
• The coconut shreds are now put into a mesh bag and that bag is put into the pressing
machine. The bag is pressed more than once to extract as much of the coconut milk (which
contains the oil component within it) as possible. What is left over after pressing is just the
fiber of the coconut. This can be dried and ground down into coconut flour which is
wonderful to use in food recipes.
• This coconut milk is put into a glass container and left to sit out overnight to separate. The
cream rises to the top, the oil in the middle and the water at the bottom.
• The oil will be going through filtration machine and it will turn out to be cloudy.
• This oil is then covered (with a slight opening) and left to sit for about 3 days. During this
time any water within will evaporate leaving the beautiful clear oil. This is the pure, highly
nutritious finished product - COLD PRESSED COCONUT OIL.
• How do mechanical engineers fit in the industry -
• MAN
- Being an instructor or trainer to new employees. Making sure the employees doing their job
well and on time. Make the job easier, efficient, and productive.
• MACHINE
- Increase machine lifespan.
- Lessen accidents.
- Increase productivity.
• How do mechanical engineers fit in the industry -
• MATERIAL
- Design and build equipment.
- Regulate the manufacturing process.
- Analyze the test results and change the design as needed.
• METHOD
- Applying mechanical engineering skills/methods in coconut oil milling will make the process
almost hands free and this will guarantee an increase of production. A Mechanical Engineer can
also ensure and maintain that the machines work efficiently.
