Diseño e implementación de un sistema de control del equipo de extracción de aceites esenciales del laboratorio de procesos industriales de la Facultad de Ciencias-ESPOCH.

Abstract

The objective of this degree project was the design and implementation of a control system on the equipment of essential oil extraction at the Laboratory of Industrial Processes of the Science Faculty. To carry out the present work, the scientific, experimental, and applicative methodologies were used. In the former, it was investigated scientific articles and theses that led the obtention of relevant information that helps to get the robust basis for system implementation. With the second, the variables of interest were analyzed to the relevant tests and so guarantee that the system is optimal for the extraction of essential oils. And with the third, the real application is sought in a scenario with normal conditions. where the staff is constantly working in the science lab. It was carried out a general diagram of the heating system by means of internal resistances that will heat the liquid up to the boiling point, controlled by sensors and a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), which activates different control outputs and generates messages in a Human-Machine Interface (HMI). Using the repeatability technique, it has been shown that the system is stable due to its responses lower than 10%, which indicates that the process has been carried out successfully and that the use of the new heater by means of internal resistances and industrial control is optimal. It is concluded that the system implemented for the extraction of essential oils from the Laboratory of Industrial Processes of the Faculty of Sciences - ESPOCH, has reduced its working time in the process from more than 3 hours to 2 hours. The system could be improved with a remote control so that all the personnel can verify the process from the distance, and not necessarily being in the laboratory for the entire duration of the extraction.