Olive Oil processing plants

Olive oil processing plant design options always depend on the plant capacity. This factor will settle the cost of the machinery, which can range from $13,000 to $225,000. That diversity of options makes it possible for growers to produce olive oil in small scale with a small investment and high amortization costs. Following is a brief summary of the different options.

Key Factors For Design Options

Processing capacity

Tons of Olives/Year	Type of Equipment
Less than 500	Compact or small lines (OLIOMIO, FATTORIA, etc.)
More than 500	In line (PIERALISI, ALFA LAVAL, WESTFALIA, AMENDUNI, RAPANELLI, etc.)

Extraction System

• 3-Phase: Greater water consumption, more wastewater production, solid pomace, better control, costlier.
• 2-Phase: Less water consumption and wastewater production, moist pomace (paste), worse control, less costly.

• Plant size
• Location (rural/urban areas)
• Type of waste and by-products (=2-3 phases systems)
• Potential end-users (animal feeding, burning, fertilizer, etc.)

Desired oil quality/quantity balance

Type of crusher to be installed (hammer mill, tooth mill, stone mill, combinations,...).

Cost Information (fixed assets)

It strongly depends on the adopted design, which has to be made case by case and many different options can be considered. As an orientation, and assuming a processing period of about 30-40 days per year, the investment could be as follows:

Plant Capacity (lb./hour)	Construction Costs (USD)
	Building	Equipment	Storage	Total
110 lb./h	40,000	13,000	6,000	59,000
220 lb./h	55,000	22,000	8,000	85,000
880 lb./h	125,000	60,000	11,000	196,000
3,300 lb./h (*)	250,000	140,000	35,000	425,000
8,800 lb./h (*)	450,000	160,000	90,000	700,000
12,100 lb./h (*)	600,000	225,000	140,000	965,000

*For the 3000 lb/h plant capacity or bigger. Wastewater depuration and/or pomace drying devices and space are not included. Sometimes, these items can increase the cost in about 20-25% of the aforementioned total cost.