Abstract: A method for extracting oil from a compressible solid material including oil droplets contained within respective droplet tissues includes injecting liquid water into the compressible solid material; mixing the liquid water into the compressible solid material; if the liquid water is not in a sub-critical condition, bringing the liquid water to the sub-critical condition; and vaporizing the liquid water for releasing energy into the compressible solid material. The released energy ruptures the tissues around at least one of the respective oil droplets for releasing the oil droplets from containment within the respective droplet tissues. The released, oil droplets are extractable by compressing the compressible solid material.

Abstract: A choke for a screw device include a choking plug comprising a plurality of choking plug segments, and a choking ring cooperating with the choking plug, the choking ring comprising a plurality of choking ring segments. The plug segments may be releasably mounted to a hub is releasably mounted to a shaft of the screw device, and the choking ring segments releasably mounted to the barrel.

Abstract: An extruder for treating high-oil-content material such as certain oilseeds, is used to prepare the material for later solvent extraction of oil from the material. The extruder has an elongate barrel and a rotating wormshaft therein which advances the material from an inlet hopper to a discharge die plate having at least one restricted orifice. As the material advances through a series of compaction worms, it is worked and compressed. Steam may be injected to raise the temperature and moisture content of the material. The pressure on the material is increased and is maintained sufficiently high so as to prevent any water content from vaporizing even if its vapor pressure significantly exceeds atmospheric pressure. The barrel wall includes a perforate or slotted section downstream from a solid wall section, and preferably immediately before or close to the discharge die plate.