The governing variables and parameters of the hydroextraction of essential oils are the bulk density of the extracting bed, the volumetric velocity of steam throughout the bed; the relative volatility of essential oils, the mechanical resistance of the vegetal matrix, and diffusional resistances and dispersion in the bed. This fact would divert the systern trom a classical vapor distillation analysis to a rather more complex system of separation, in which certainly the phase change velocity might be the process controlling step, but not necessarily in all the cases. Fortunately tor us, most of the above mentioned variables and parameters are linked with each other in such a way that the degree of freedom is reduced and we may simplify our analysis. Stating some assumptions and fixing some parameters, in this work we formulate a new hydroextraction model using saturated steam as extractan...

Applying the method of pressure swing distillation (PSD) we obtained (97 % v/v) ethanol starting from 95 % v/v ethanol, which shows that the ethanol-water azeotrope has been broken in this study. Experimental work to achieve the final product was carried out operating !he column in two stages or modes, these being: (1) Low pressure distillation (LPD), and (2) High pressure distillation (HPO). In the first operating mode, a low degree industrial alcohol (80 % v/v ethanol) is fed to a bench scale distillation column packed with Mellapack structure, where (95 % v/v) ethanol is obtained, working at atmospheric pressure. Then product collected in !he first stage is fed to the reboiler, and !he HPD process takes place to get 97 % (v/v) ethanol. Here we have shown that it is possible to perform the pressure swing using an auxiliary engineered device, instead of using a second distillation colum...

The governing variables and parameters of the hydroextraction of essential oils are the bulk density of the extracting bed, the volumetric velocity of steam throughout the bed; the relative volatility of essential oils, the mechanical resistance of the vegetal matrix, and diffusional resistances and dispersion in the bed. This fact would divert the systern trom a classical vapor distillation analysis to a rather more complex system of separation, in which certainly the phase change velocity might be the process controlling step, but not necessarily in all the cases. Fortunately tor us, most of the above mentioned variables and parameters are linked with each other in such a way that the degree of freedom is reduced and we may simplify our analysis. Stating some assumptions and fixing some parameters, in this work we formulate a new hydroextraction model using saturated steam as extractan...

Applying the method of pressure swing distillation (PSD) we obtained (97 % v/v) ethanol starting from 95 % v/v ethanol, which shows that the ethanol-water azeotrope has been broken in this study. Experimental work to achieve the final product was carried out operating !he column in two stages or modes, these being: (1) Low pressure distillation (LPD), and (2) High pressure distillation (HPO). In the first operating mode, a low degree industrial alcohol (80 % v/v ethanol) is fed to a bench scale distillation column packed with Mellapack structure, where (95 % v/v) ethanol is obtained, working at atmospheric pressure. Then product collected in !he first stage is fed to the reboiler, and !he HPD process takes place to get 97 % (v/v) ethanol. Here we have shown that it is possible to perform the pressure swing using an auxiliary engineered device, instead of using a second distillation colum...