QIE supplied a 250 TPD shea butter oil processing plant for an African processing project. The integrated solution combines shea kernel pretreatment, continuous screw pressing, optional oil refining, utility systems and by-product handling to support stable industrial production of crude and refined shea butter oil.
Shea kernels are an important oil-bearing raw material for cosmetic, skincare and food-related applications. To support larger-scale processing and more consistent product output, this Africa shea butter processing project was configured as a continuous production line with a designed daily handling capacity of 250 tons of shea kernels.
The QIE solution connects raw material reception and preparation with mechanical oil extraction and optional refining. This process-oriented configuration helps the customer establish a clearer production route from shea kernels to crude shea butter oil, refined shea butter oil and shea cake for further utilization.
| Item | Project Configuration |
|---|---|
| Project Location | Africa |
| Raw Material | Shea kernels with an oil content of approximately 40–45% |
| Designed Capacity | 250 tons of shea kernels per day |
| Processing Sections | Pretreatment, mechanical pressing and optional refining |
| Main Products | Crude shea butter oil and refined shea butter oil |
| Control Mode | PLC-based automated continuous operation |
A shea butter oil processing plant needs to accommodate variations in kernel size, maturity and moisture condition while maintaining a controlled preparation and pressing environment. In addition to oil recovery, the production line must consider continuous material flow, equipment reliability, energy use, oil storage and the organized handling of press cake.
For this project, QIE focused on integrating each processing stage into a coordinated shea kernel pretreatment and pressing line. The design places emphasis on raw material conditioning before extraction, stable operation of the continuous screw press system, and the option to further refine crude oil according to downstream product requirements.
The pretreatment section includes cleaning, crushing, drying and conditioning equipment. These steps remove impurities, prepare kernels for pressing and help create suitable moisture and temperature conditions for subsequent oil extraction.
The pressing section is built around a 250 TPD continuous screw press system. It supports uninterrupted industrial processing of conditioned shea kernels, separating crude shea butter oil from press cake and providing a stable basis for downstream oil collection and treatment.
Where refined oil is required, the line can be equipped with degumming, deacidification, bleaching and deodorization units. This refining route is designed to improve oil appearance, acidity control and purity for applications that require refined shea butter oil.
Supporting systems include steam boiler and hot water systems, heat recovery equipment, crude oil and finished oil storage tanks, cooling arrangements, and a shea cake conveying and storage system. These supporting units help connect the main process with daily plant operation, material management and resource utilization.
The integrated plant configuration provides a structured approach to large-scale shea butter oil production. By linking pretreatment, pressing, refining and storage, the project supports a more continuous process flow and clearer coordination between raw material handling, oil extraction and final product management.
This 250 TPD shea butter oil processing plant demonstrates how modern pretreatment, continuous pressing and refining technologies can be applied to shea kernel processing in Africa. The project supports the transition from fragmented processing steps toward a more integrated industrial production system.
For local shea value chains, an integrated processing plant can provide a practical foundation for agricultural value addition, more systematic oil production and diversified use of processing by-products. As a supplier of grain and oil processing equipment, QIE provides turnkey shea butter oil plant support covering process design, equipment manufacturing, installation, commissioning and technical training according to project requirements.
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