Process optimization of conventional steam distillation system for peppermint oil extraction

ABSTRACT

This study aims to optimize peppermint oil extraction process using response surface methodology (RSM). Experiments were performed for different batch sizes (1500, 1700, and 1900 kg). System performance was evaluated in terms of thermal efficiency, productivity, essential oil yield (EOY), extraction efficiency, and CO₂ emissions. Total energy consumption for 1500, 1700, and 1900 kg batch sizes are 1379.46, 1336.58, and 1286.56 kWh, while CO₂ emissions are 1104, 1069, and 1028 kg, respectively. Maximum hourly system productivity, cumulative productivity, maximum hourly thermal efficiency, maximum extraction efficiency, and maximum EOY were obtained as 8.3 L/h, 20 L, 2%, 41.5%, and 0.461% (w/w), respectively, for 1900 kg. Average increase in total productivity, extraction efficiency, and EOY was 49.25%, 1%, and 26%, increasing in batch size from 1500 kg to 1900 kg. Extraction time and batch size have important effect (p < 0.001) on the extraction yield. Optimal process parameters are identified 300 min of extraction time and 1807.5 kg of batch size. The highest oil yield was 1.0614% under optimal conditions. Experiment was further performed for 1807.5 kg of batch size and the yield was found as 1.04621. Predicted and experimental results were found in good consistency with percentage deviation of 1.436. Therefore, this is helpful in conducting further research on optimizing process parameters for conventional distillation system of peppermint oil extraction.

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Peppermint
• distillation
• performance
• essential oil yield
• optimization
• RSM

Nomenclature

m∙	=	Yield (kg/h)
L	=	Latent heat of vaporization of Peppermint (kJ/kg)
m	=	Mass (kg)
C.V.	=	Calorific value of wood fuel
P	=	Productivity of the system
V	=	Volume of oil (L)
t	=	Time (h)
f	=	Wood fuel
EOY	=	Essential oil Yield
CSD	=	Conventional steam distillation
TEC	=	Total energy consumption
ET	=	Extraction Time
PO	=	Peppermint oil
EO	=	Essential oil
SSR	=	Solid to solvent ratio
UP	=	Ultrasonic power
ANOVA	=	Analysis of variance
η	=	efficiency

Acknowledgments

The first author would like to thank Delhi Technological University, Delhi, for awarding the fellowship for pursuing the Ph.D. in the Mechanical Engineering Department and gratefully acknowledge Centre for Energy and Environment to support the present work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Availability of data and material (data transparency)

This is a review article of previous work. Critical analysis has been done with reference to earlier research work. Hence, there is no data used.

Authors’ contributions (optional)

Ravi Kant: Methodology, Writing - original draft, Investigation.

Anil Kumar: Conceptualization, Visualization, Writing - review & editing, Supervision, Investigation.

Additional information

Funding

The authors have no funding to report.