Steam distillation modeling for essential oil extraction process

A mathematical model was evaluated to predict the essential oil recovery by steam distillation of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), and lavender (Lavandula dentata L.). The aim of the work was to obtain yield experimental data to compare with a mathematical model used in the simulation of essential oils extraction by steam distillation. The extraction model is based on single plate particle description on mass transfer. This model requires only one adjustable parameter, effective diffusion coefficient (D), to predict the essential oil yield experimental curves. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.