Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation

 

Continuous microwave extraction of peppermint oil Public Deposited

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https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/37720h22q

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  • Steam distillation has been the common method of extraction of essential oils from plants for more than a century. The use of microwave energy has been suggested as an alternative distillation method that would: reduce water usage, dependence on non-renewable energy sources, and the carbon footprint. A byproduct of this technique was first discovered in 2009; the creation of an aerosol, which are extremely difficult to condense with the traditional tube and shell heat exchangers used by mint farmers. Therefore, a direct-contact spray condenser was developed, tested, and proven adequate at condensing an artificially produced steam/air aerosol on the lab scale. The objective of this research is to utilize the direct-contact condenser in conjunction with an industrial scale (75 [kW]) continuous microwave drier to prove that a multi-ton level microwave extraction process is possible. A pilot scale field trial was conducted in Iowa in September 2012 with a 75 [kW] microwave unit. Practically all of the peppermint oil was extracted from the hay by the microwave application process. The direct-contact condenser and recycled condensate cooling system did not allow recoverable oil to be obtained due to the solubility of the mint oil in the cooling water. The water in the recycled condensate cooling system did contain approximately 0.45% menthol by weight, the main component of peppermint oil, and offers insight into potential improvements to the condensation process to achieve microwave extraction of peppermint oil at the mint hay multi-ton level of operation.
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