Uma proposta de melhoria de produtividade e qualidade na destilação de óleos essenciais baseada em tecnologias digitais inteligentes

Abstract

Essential oil steam distillation extraction processes rely on production systems with significant potential for technological updating. They present variations in the extractive cycle, mass and energy yield uncertainties and undesired operational occurrences, not detected and therefore, not corrected. In this area, studies on the application of technology are not abundant, which provided the opportunity for this research. A large part of this industry is formed by small and medium size producers, with facilities characterized by the lack of instrumentation and basic control systems. The present thesis aims to create a proposal to improve this extractive process, through the addition of intelligent digital technologies, making it flexible, adaptive, self-configurable and that the operation results in better yields, less water consumption, which generates non degraded products by prolonged thermal exposure and have the extraction time technically determined. The experimental activities, carried out in a pilot-scale equipment, having lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) as raw material, with an approximate capacity of 10 kg of green matrix, obtained an average improvement greater than 24% in mass yield, a reduction greater than 50% in process duration and energy consumption. The quality of the product, evidenced by chromatography, revealed an increase of up to 10% in the Citral content, a component of greatest interest in this essential oil. Sensors installed in order to obtain temperature data directly from the plant mass, an image processing system and the control and monitoring of condensation allowed the detection and correction of steam channels (channels) through the raw material, the automatic termination of the process at the economic point and the condensation of higher levels of Citral, respectively. The experimental phase allowed a better understanding of the process, making it possible to demonstrate significant gains in productivity and quality improvement. These higher yields and better quality are potential gains for this industry with reduced production costs and higher value.