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Solvent extraction plant

Enter the seed the plant crushes and how much oil is in it. The list below is what that implies — preparation, extractor, desolventiser-toaster, distillation and solvent recovery — with a rate column you fill in yourself.

How this works →

Your figures

Seed throughput(tonnes/day)

Seed or cake into the plant, not oil out of it.

Operating hours(hours/day)

Extraction plants run continuously — stopping one is expensive.

Oil in the seed(%)

Soya about 18%, rapeseed cake 12%, rice bran 16%. Sets the oil side of the plant.

Solvent to seed ratio(: 1)

Hexane circulating against seed. Sets the extractor, the distillation and the pumps.

Solvent loss(kg/tonne seed)

Drives the hexane storage and the vent recovery. Under 1.5 is a well-run plant.

Oil-contact material

Crude oil and miscella are usually mild steel here; stainless is a specification choice.

Meal storage(days)

Material take-off

What to buy, at what size, and how many — worked out from the figures above.

Rates

CurrencyFabricated steel (₨/kg)Skilled labour (₨/day)

Every line is estimated from those two figures: its steel — or steel-equivalent — mass at the steel rate, stainless at 3.2×, plus its install days at the labour rate. There is no price feed behind this, so the two anchors are seeded from typical Pakistan figures as of September 2026 and are yours to correct. Type over any individual rate and yours is used instead.

Seed preparation

Material	Size	No.	Total weight	Rate	Amount
Seed cleaner with magnetic separatorStones and tramp metal out before the rollsRate from 2,983 kg + 3 days labour — Screen deck, aspiration and magnet	8,333 kg/h	1unit	—	estimated	1,200,833
Cracking rollsSeed broken to four to six pieces before flakingRate from 5,967 kg + 4 days labour — Chilled rolls, frame and drive	8,333 kg/h	2unit	—	estimated	4,793,334
Conditioner / cooker, steam heatedBrings the seed to flaking temperature and moistureRate from 7,200 kg + 5 days labour — Stacked heated trays with agitators	8,333 kg/h	1unit	—	estimated	2,892,500
Flaking millFlakes to about 0.3 mm — the thinner the flake, the better the extractionRate from 10,700 kg + 5 days labour — Heavy rolls, hydraulic loading and drive	8,333 kg/h	2mill	—	estimated	8,585,000
Expander / extruderCollets drain faster and hold less solvent than raw flakeRate from 12,967 kg + 6 days labour — Barrel, screw, drive and steam injection	8,333 kg/h	1unit	—	estimated	5,201,667

Seed cleaner with magnetic separator
Stones and tramp metal out before the rolls
Rate from 2,983 kg + 3 days labour — Screen deck, aspiration and magnet
Size
8,333 kg/h
No.
1unit
Total weight
—
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 1,200,833
Cracking rolls
Seed broken to four to six pieces before flaking
Rate from 5,967 kg + 4 days labour — Chilled rolls, frame and drive
Size
8,333 kg/h
No.
2unit
Total weight
—
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 4,793,334
Conditioner / cooker, steam heated
Brings the seed to flaking temperature and moisture
Rate from 7,200 kg + 5 days labour — Stacked heated trays with agitators
Size
8,333 kg/h
No.
1unit
Total weight
—
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 2,892,500
Flaking mill
Flakes to about 0.3 mm — the thinner the flake, the better the extraction
Rate from 10,700 kg + 5 days labour — Heavy rolls, hydraulic loading and drive
Size
8,333 kg/h
No.
2mill
Total weight
—
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 8,585,000
Expander / extruder
Collets drain faster and hold less solvent than raw flake
Rate from 12,967 kg + 6 days labour — Barrel, screw, drive and steam injection
Size
8,333 kg/h
No.
1unit
Total weight
—
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 5,201,667

Extraction

Material	Size	No.	Total weight	Rate	Amount
Solvent extractor, continuousHexane at 1.1 : 1 against seedRate from 46,500 kg + 25 days labour — Loop or belt extractor, gas-tight, with drives and hoppers	200 t/day31.0 t eachsite-erected	1extractor	31.0t	estimated	18,662,500
Miscella tank, MSTwo hours of miscella, full and half strengthRate from 3,724 kg + 4 days labour — Gas-tight tank with vent connection	40 m³3.1 t each	2tank	6.2t	estimated	2,998,914
Miscella filterFines out of the miscella before distillationRate from 1,205 kg + 3 days labour — Leaf filter, gas-tight	18.2 m²	2filter	—	estimated	979,120
Hexane storage tank, MSA week of make-up at 1.2 kg/t plus working inventoryRate from 5,286 kg + 6 days labour — Bunded tank with flame arrestor and nitrogen blanket	60 m³4.1 t each	2tank	8.1t	estimated	4,258,772

Solvent extractor, continuous
Hexane at 1.1 : 1 against seed
Rate from 46,500 kg + 25 days labour — Loop or belt extractor, gas-tight, with drives and hoppers
Size
200 t/day · 31.0 t eachsite-erected
No.
1extractor
Total weight
31.0 t
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 18,662,500
Miscella tank, MS
Two hours of miscella, full and half strength
Rate from 3,724 kg + 4 days labour — Gas-tight tank with vent connection
Size
40 m³ · 3.1 t each
No.
2tank
Total weight
6.2 t
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 2,998,914
Miscella filter
Fines out of the miscella before distillation
Rate from 1,205 kg + 3 days labour — Leaf filter, gas-tight
Size
18.2 m²
No.
2filter
Total weight
—
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 979,120
Hexane storage tank, MS
A week of make-up at 1.2 kg/t plus working inventory
Rate from 5,286 kg + 6 days labour — Bunded tank with flame arrestor and nitrogen blanket
Size
60 m³ · 4.1 t each
No.
2tank
Total weight
8.1 t
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 4,258,772

Desolventising

Material	Size	No.	Total weight	Rate	Amount
Desolventiser-toaster (DT)Strips hexane from the meal and cooks it to specRate from 28,867 kg + 20 days labour — Stacked heated trays, sparge, drive and vapour hood	6,833 kg/h meal20.0 t eachsite-erected	1unit	20.0t	estimated	11,596,667
Meal dryer and coolerMeal to storage moisture and ambient temperatureRate from 14,133 kg + 8 days labour — Dryer-cooler with fans and cyclones	6,833 kg/h	1unit	—	estimated	5,673,333
Meal conveying, grinding and baggingOut of the cooler and into the silo or the bagRate from 9,917 kg + 8 days labour — Redler, elevator, hammer mill and bagger	6,833 kg/h	1line	—	estimated	3,986,667
Meal silo, MS5 days of meal at 600 kg/m³Rate from 37,352 kg + 8 days labour — Silo with hopper bottom, ladder and level	1400 m³27.7 t eachsite-erected	2silo	55.3t	estimated	29,921,878

Desolventiser-toaster (DT)
Strips hexane from the meal and cooks it to spec
Rate from 28,867 kg + 20 days labour — Stacked heated trays, sparge, drive and vapour hood
Size
6,833 kg/h meal · 20.0 t eachsite-erected
No.
1unit
Total weight
20.0 t
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 11,596,667
Meal dryer and cooler
Meal to storage moisture and ambient temperature
Rate from 14,133 kg + 8 days labour — Dryer-cooler with fans and cyclones
Size
6,833 kg/h
No.
1unit
Total weight
—
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 5,673,333
Meal conveying, grinding and bagging
Out of the cooler and into the silo or the bag
Rate from 9,917 kg + 8 days labour — Redler, elevator, hammer mill and bagger
Size
6,833 kg/h
No.
1line
Total weight
—
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 3,986,667
Meal silo, MS
5 days of meal at 600 kg/m³
Rate from 37,352 kg + 8 days labour — Silo with hopper bottom, ladder and level
Size
1400 m³ · 27.7 t eachsite-erected
No.
2silo
Total weight
55.3 t
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 29,921,878

Distillation & solvent recovery

Material	Size	No.	Total weight	Rate	Amount
Rising-film evaporator, MSTwo stages take the miscella from about 25% to 90% oilRate from 12,935 kg + 6 days labour — Tube bundle, shell and separator, per m²	136.2 m²12.9 t each	2stage	25.9t	estimated	10,378,060
Final stripping column, MSSteam strips the last hexane out of the oilRate from 2,929 kg + 8 days labour — Packed or disc-and-doughnut column with sparge	1.65 m³/h oil2.1 t each	1column	2.1t	estimated	1,191,692
Solvent condensersCondense the hexane vapour from DT, evaporators and stripperRate from 25,208 kg + 4 days labour — Shell and tube condenser, per m²	296.6 m²	3unit	—	estimated	30,279,999
Solvent-water separator and boiling tankHexane off the top, water out of the bottom, nothing to the drainRate from 3,926 kg + 5 days labour — Gravity separator, boiling tank and interlocks	25 m³	1set	—	estimated	1,583,088
Vent gas absorption (mineral oil scrubber)The difference between 1 and 3 kg of hexane lost per tonneRate from 10,100 kg + 8 days labour — Absorber, desorber, circulation and chiller	240 kg/day at risk	1system	—	estimated	4,060,000
Crude oil tank, MSA day of extracted oil before it goes to refiningRate from 3,724 kg + 5 days labour — Tank with heating coil	40 m³3.1 t each	2tank	6.2t	estimated	3,003,914

Rising-film evaporator, MS
Two stages take the miscella from about 25% to 90% oil
Rate from 12,935 kg + 6 days labour — Tube bundle, shell and separator, per m²
Size
136.2 m² · 12.9 t each
No.
2stage
Total weight
25.9 t
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 10,378,060
Final stripping column, MS
Steam strips the last hexane out of the oil
Rate from 2,929 kg + 8 days labour — Packed or disc-and-doughnut column with sparge
Size
1.65 m³/h oil · 2.1 t each
No.
1column
Total weight
2.1 t
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 1,191,692
Solvent condensers
Condense the hexane vapour from DT, evaporators and stripper
Rate from 25,208 kg + 4 days labour — Shell and tube condenser, per m²
Size
296.6 m²
No.
3unit
Total weight
—
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 30,279,999
Solvent-water separator and boiling tank
Hexane off the top, water out of the bottom, nothing to the drain
Rate from 3,926 kg + 5 days labour — Gravity separator, boiling tank and interlocks
Size
25 m³
No.
1set
Total weight
—
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 1,583,088
Vent gas absorption (mineral oil scrubber)
The difference between 1 and 3 kg of hexane lost per tonne
Rate from 10,100 kg + 8 days labour — Absorber, desorber, circulation and chiller
Size
240 kg/day at risk
No.
1system
Total weight
—
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 4,060,000
Crude oil tank, MS
A day of extracted oil before it goes to refining
Rate from 3,724 kg + 5 days labour — Tank with heating coil
Size
40 m³ · 3.1 t each
No.
2tank
Total weight
6.2 t
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 3,003,914

Safety, pumps and pipe

Material	Size	No.	Total weight	Rate	Amount
Nitrogen blanketing and gas detectionHexane is flammable at 1.1% in air — this is not optionalRate from 1,800 kg + 10 days labour — Generator, distribution, detectors and interlocks	plant-wide	1system	—	estimated	745,000
Miscella and solvent pumps, seallessCanned or magnetic drive — a leaking seal on hexane is a fireRate from 820 kg + 1 day labour — Sealless pump set, flameproof motor	15.1 m³/h	6pump	—	estimated	1,982,298
MS pipe, seamlessSized at 1.5 m/s; length is a starting allowance, not a routeRate from 13 kg + 0.1 days labour — MS at NB 80 mm, welded and tested for solvent duty	NB 80 mm0.01 t each	700m	6.2t	estimated	3,871,000
Valves, flameproof dutyIsolation and control across extraction and recoveryRate from 43 kg + 0.25 days labour — Valve, NB 80 mm	NB 80 mm	70valve	—	estimated	1,253,350

Nitrogen blanketing and gas detection
Hexane is flammable at 1.1% in air — this is not optional
Rate from 1,800 kg + 10 days labour — Generator, distribution, detectors and interlocks
Size
plant-wide
No.
1system
Total weight
—
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 745,000
Miscella and solvent pumps, sealless
Canned or magnetic drive — a leaking seal on hexane is a fire
Rate from 820 kg + 1 day labour — Sealless pump set, flameproof motor
Size
15.1 m³/h
No.
6pump
Total weight
—
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 1,982,298
MS pipe, seamless
Sized at 1.5 m/s; length is a starting allowance, not a route
Rate from 13 kg + 0.1 days labour — MS at NB 80 mm, welded and tested for solvent duty
Size
NB 80 mm · 0.01 t each
No.
700m
Total weight
6.2 t
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 3,871,000
Valves, flameproof duty
Isolation and control across extraction and recovery
Rate from 43 kg + 0.25 days labour — Valve, NB 80 mm
Size
NB 80 mm
No.
70valve
Total weight
—
Rate(estimated)
Amount
₨ 1,253,350

Material

₨ 158,365,836

161.0 t of steel to fabricate

Labour

₨ 733,750

294 days at ₨ 2,500 a day

Quotation total

₨ 159,099,586PKR

23 of 23 lines priced

161.04 t is fabricated steel only. 14 bought-in lines — pumps, machines, proprietary units — are priced but carry no steel weight of ours, and show a dash in the weight column.

Questions

What sets the size of the extractor?

The seed tonnage and the solvent-to-seed ratio together. The ratio decides how much hexane is circulating, which in turn sizes the miscella tanks, the evaporators, the condensers and every pump on the solvent side — so it moves far more of the plant than its one field suggests.

Why is solvent loss an input?

Because it is the number the plant is judged on. It sets the hexane make-up you have to store and it decides whether the vent gas absorption system earns its keep. The difference between one and three kilograms lost per tonne of seed is, over a year, a large sum and a safety case.

Is the meal side included?

The desolventiser-toaster, dryer-cooler, conveying, grinding, bagging and silos are, since they follow directly from the meal tonnage. Pelleting, protein concentration and anything downstream of the silo are not.

What is not included?

The boiler and steam distribution, cooling towers, the electrical substation and MCC, the fire and gas system beyond detection and blanketing, civil work and structure, and the refinery itself. Use the cooking oil and ghee mill tool for what happens to the crude oil after this plant produces it.

Why sealless pumps?

Hexane is flammable at around one percent in air. A mechanical seal that weeps on a water pump is a nuisance; the same seal on a solvent line is a fire. Canned or magnetic-drive pumps cost more and are the normal specification here.