Modelling Steam Distillation For Essential Oil Production

Glenister, Mitchell A. (2017) Modelling Steam Distillation For Essential Oil Production. Honours thesis, Murdoch University.

Abstract

The production of essential oil has remained unchanged for decades. In the face of increased competition from low cost suppliers the requirement to reduce the cost of production is facing many producers. The application of a counter-current system to the steam distillation of essential oils the transition from traditional production methods to more efficient methods was evaluated. Modelling a system using existing mathematical models found in the literature provided a basis for the comparison between the old and the new.

The question of the conversion of operating principles was met with the findings that the system is immature in inception. Further research is required to address the technical issues of introducing and removing plant material from a distillation column without interrupting the flow of steam. Initial bench tests have confirmed the benefits of moving to a non-batch system, this research is in its infancy with many further tests required to cement the findings of this thesis. Substantial portions of this thesis have been redacted or limited details provided, as large sections of the research are of a confidential nature.

Item Type:	Thesis (Honours)
Murdoch Affiliation(s):	School of Engineering and Information Technology
Supervisor(s):	Bahri, Parisa
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/36955

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