Diseño y construcción de un sistema de enfriamiento para el equipo de extracción de aceites esenciales por arrastre de vapor.

Abstract

The objective of this research work was to implement a cooling system for the extraction equipment of essential oils by arrastre vapour from the Industrial Processes Laboratory, of the Sciences Faculty at Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo. The work began with an overall analysis of the extraction equipment of essential oils for which the functioning recognition and current conditions of the equipment were carried out, and it was identified that the problems of the oil extractor were caused by poor cooling in the condensation zone. Based on the experimental methods, two designs were proposed according to engineering standards, choosing that they meet the performance requirement taking into account the level of performance required, taking into account the selected alternatives, the second option was chosen as well as a cooling system that will be added to the extraction equipment of oils in the recirculation process for the condensate. Subsequently, a demonstrative work of the proposed design was carried out. The results were of a feeding reason of 22,3 kg / h, the amount of calories extracted from the distilled vapour was 27651,41 kg / h, thus achieving the final temperature of the distilled was 19 ° C. According to this, it was concluded that when validating the equipment by extracting essential oil from an aromatic eucalyptus sample, an oil volume of 177 mL, was obtained, which indicates an increase in the performance of the extraction equipment from 0,19% to 1,96%, verifying that the cooling system obtained a heat removal of 452,97 watts in the distillate flow. It is recommended to automate its respective procedure for greater ease of use and verification of the process that takes place.