Abstract:
Batch distillation is a popular method used in the
fractionation of essential oils. The feasibility of separation to
achieve a target purity in the product from a given feed
composition depends mainly on the Reflux ratio (R) and the
Number of plates (N). Batch distillation process is simulated in
this study for enriching Eugenol in Cinnamon leaf oil as a case
study. Four Performance Parameters, namely the Average
Production Rate (APR), Product Yield (Y), Average Heating
Requirement (AHR), and Average Cooling requirement (ACR)
are considered for the analysis. The contour plots generated
from the simulation study are useful for Eugenol manufacturers
to identify the range of R and N for feasible separation and to
select the suitable combination of R and N to maximize APR or
Y and minimize the AHR and ACR. According to the simulation
results for a feed containing 88.8 weight percent Eugenol, the
enrichment of 95 weight percent could be achieved by operating
at N values from 1 to 25 and R values from 0.25 to 5.00.
However, the range of N and R for feasible separation is found
to depend on the feed composition and the target purity of
Eugenol in the product.
Citation:
M. N. I. Ahamed, W. U. L. R. Dissanayake, N. D. I. Kumarage, A. D. U. S. Amarasinghe and M. Narayana, "Performance Analysis of Batch Fractional Distillation of Essential Oils, A Simulation Study for Cinnamon Leaf Oil," 2023 Moratuwa Engineering Research Conference (MERCon), Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023, pp. 357-362, doi: 10.1109/MERCon60487.2023.10355497.
