Deterpenation of Orange Essential Oil by Molecular Distillation

The influence of two operative conditions in the orange essential oil deterpenation by molecular distillation: rotor speed (100-200 rpm) and evaporation temperature (19-33ºC), on oxygenated compounds (linalool) recovery (LR) and on the oxygenated compounds monoterpenes concentration ratio (CR) were studied. A central composite design and the response surface methodology were employed for experimental design and for the molecular distillation process modelling, respectively. It was found that the maximum concentration ratio is obtained at the lowest rotor speed and at an intermediate temperature level while the linalool recovery decreases with temperature and rotor speed. So, the best conditions to achieve a high concentration ratio (CR=10) and an acceptable linalool recovery (LR=65%) are 25ºC for evaporation temperature and 100 rpm for rotor speed. Higher concentration ratios could be obtained only if oxygenated compounds recovery is resigned.