Title

DESIGN, FABRICATION, AND TESTING OF A MOTORIZED SCREW-TYPE COPRA OIL EXPELLER WITH INTEGRATED ACTIVATED CHARCOAL FILTRATION

Author(s)

Jonafe M. Olhon

Je Ton Craig L. Padogdog

Affiliation

College of Agriculture and Forestry

Degree Program

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Contributor

Bernie P. Agustin, Eng. – Adviser

Oliver S. Talip, Ph.D. – Chairman

Gether P. Enario, Ph.D. – Instructor/Panel Member

Yunalyn Villantes, Ph.D. – Panel Member

Year

2026

Abstract

This study focused on the design, fabrication, and testing of a motorized screw-type copra oil expeller with integrated activated charcoal filtration intended for coconut oil extraction suitable for small-scale coconut farmers. The machine was developed to improve the extraction and filtration process through a single operating system. Performance testing was conducted using different copra sizes and batch weights to determine their effects on pressing time, oil yield, extraction efficiency, and processing capacity. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement and three replications was employed in the study. Results showed that copra size and copra weight significantly influenced the performance of the machine. Medium-sized copra (0.75 inch) produced the highest oil yield, while smaller copra sizes resulted in shorter pressing time and higher processing capacity. Larger batch weights generated greater oil yield and processing capacity; however, extraction efficiency decreased as batch weight increased. Significant interaction effects between copra size and batch weight were observed for extraction efficiency, indicating that both factors influenced oil recovery performance. The combination of smaller copra size and lower batch weight produced the highest extraction efficiency. The developed machine successfully integrated oil extraction and activated charcoal filtration into a single system and achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4, indicating successful laboratory validation of the prototype. The findings suggest that the developed machine has potential for efficient coconut oil extraction and filtration under controlled operating conditions.

Keywords

pressing time, oil yield, extraction efficiency, processing capacity