DE102009017130A1 - Distillation plant for the production of essential oils and distillation reactor for a distillation plant - Google Patents

Abstract

A generic distillation plant for the production of essential oils consists of one or more distillation reactors (1, 2) arranged parallel to one another, a steam generating device (19, 20) for the distillation reactors (1, 2), a condensation device (4) for the steam and a separating device (5) for the condensate, wherein the steam generating means (19, 20), the one or more distillation reactors (1, 2), the condensation means (4) and the separating means (5) are connected in series. To improve the production costs and to increase the effectiveness, it is proposed that the distillation reactors (1, 2) are stationary and each distillation reactor (1, 2) is associated with a steam generating device (19, 20). The corresponding distillation reactor (1, 2) has a reactor housing (17) with a raw material receiving container (23), wherein the raw material receiving container (23) has a gas-permeable storage shelf (25), which is designed to be suspended in the reactor housing (17).

Description

The The invention relates to a distillation plant consisting of one or more distillation reactors arranged parallel to one another, a steam generator for the distillation reactors, a condensation device for the steam and a Separating device for the condensate, wherein the steam generating device, the one or more distillation reactors, the condensation device and the separator are connected in series.

The The invention further relates to a distillation reactor for a distillation unit consisting of a closable Reactor housing for receiving the raw materials and from a Steam generating device consists, wherein the reactor housing has an outgoing steam line.

such Plants and reactors are used in the pharmaceutical, in the cosmetic and used in the food industry.

Essential oils are made from flowers, seeds and leaves of plants which is primarily used in the distillation process becomes. The plant material is first with the help of Steam heated so that the evaporative Components of the plant material after disruption of the cells with be extracted from the water vapor. The vapor mixture is then added to the Condensation cooled, leaving the steam-volatile oil as a separate phase separates from the water phase and is won.

Appropriate Equipment for the distillation of essential oils are known in a variety of forms that are essentially in the way of steam generation, in the way of oil separation and in the way of feeding the distillation plant with the plant raw material differ.

So is published on the Internet platform of the Bavarian State Institute for Agriculture a distillation plant of the company Herba-TEC GmbH presented, now licensed by the company Empi-Anlagen GmbH GmbH & Co. KG is manufactured and sold. This distillation plant exists from an upright and cylindrical running mobile distillation reactor and a stationary steam generation and condensation device. The mobile distillation reactor exists from a filling space for the vegetable raw material and a steam room with a steam lance arranged therein. The filling room of the mobile distillation reactor is on the field with the plant raw material loaded in which the plant raw material in the distillation reactor blown. The so-filled distillation reactor is then to the stationary steam generating and condensing device driven and there on the one hand to the steam generator and on the other hand connected to the condensation device. At the end the distillation phase becomes the previously used distillation reactor again from the stationary distillation and condensation device separated, driven onto the field and emptied there, refilled, drove back to the distillation and condensation device and again connected to the distillation and condensation device.

A similar distillation plant is in the DD 216 165 A1 described, wherein the mobile distillation reactor is designed as a loadable transport vehicle loaded in the field by means of a conveyor, sealed in place with a lid and then in turn connected to a stationary steam generating and condensing device. This document also contains the indication that a corresponding steam generating and condensing device with several steam connections enables a mutual use of several mobile distillation reactors.

Both similar distillation plants guarantee a freshly harvested processing of the plant material and improve the logistics from the place of harvest to the place of processing. However, both distillation plants also have the same disadvantages. Thus, each mobile distillation reactor is equipped with a steam room that is at the expense of the filling space. This initially reduces the transport capacity, which either endangers the utilization of the distillation unit or makes the use of additional distillation reactors required. On top of that, the relatively large and heavy distillation reactor requires a strong and stable vehicle underbody, so that overall a relatively large manufacturing effort is required. This complex distillation reactor and the required large number of distillation reactors lead to considerable costs in the production of the distillation plant, which are unacceptable at this level. But very complicated and expensive is also the returning device of the distillation unit. Thus, the mobile distillation reactor must be brought into the correct position and the correct height at each connection to the steam generating and condensing device, so that adjusts itself to all ports the appropriate alignment with each other. Because of its mass and size, the distillation reactor is also difficult to empty. All this requires a high level of skill by the operator and requires relatively much unproductive set-up and changeover time. This is at the expense of the productive distillation time, which makes the distillation unit ineffective. The purification of the mobile distillation reactors, which always works, is also very complicated becomes necessary if other plant raw materials are to be used. Then the self-contained reactor vessel must be opened and disassembled into individual assemblies to get to the contaminated sites. This extends the changeover time, again at the expense of the productive distillation time. A further disadvantage is that this distillation reactor cools during transport from the field to the operating site from its high operating temperature of about 100 ° C to the ambient temperature of about 20 ° C and must be heated to the operating temperature again with each start of operation. This also worsens the energy efficiency.

The The object of the invention is therefore the production cost to improve a generic distillation plant and to improve their effectiveness.

These Task is solved by the plant, that the distillation reactors are carried out stationary and each distillation reactor a steam generating device is assigned.

the device side the object is achieved in that the reactor housing equipped with a raw material receptacle, the has a gas-carrying shelf and in the Reactor housing can be suspended is.

The eliminate the new distillation unit and the new distillation reactor the mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

So the new distillation plant works with the new distillation reactor very effective because the alternating operation between the two distillation reactors, the loading and unloading times of the two distillation reactors and the required cleaning operations at a required Change of plant type all non-productive operating times on one Reduce minimum.

The new distillation plant and the new distillation reactor are working but also very effective, because the oil yield increased and the energy losses are reduced.

It On top of that is very beneficial if the steam for each Steam generating device is generated internally, in which the for required heating is preferably electrically operated, wherein the use of any other type of heating is conceivable. It expands the field of application of the distillation plant, if alternatively Connections for an external steam generator are provided. An internal steam generator makes the Stationary distillation plant independent in its place of use, while an external steam generating means the structure the distillation unit simplified and thus investment costs reduced.

expedient Embodiments emerge from the dependent claims. 2 and 3, and 5 to 9.

The Invention is based on an embodiment closer be explained.

To demonstrate:

1 : a distillation plant in a schematized view and

2 : the distillation plant after the 1 in the plan view.

The new distillation plant exists after the 1 and 2 from a first distillation reactor 1 and a second distillation reactor 2 both in a rack 3 are supported, are arranged parallel to each other and together with a condensation device 3 and a separator 4 are in series. To do this lead a first steam line 5 from the top of the first distillation reactor 1 and a second steam line 6 from an upper portion of the second distillation reactor 2 to an upper port of the condenser 3 where they work together in the condensation device 3 open out. In each of the two steam pipes 5 . 6 there is a shut-off valve 7 respectively. 8th with which a alternating operation or a joint operation of the distillation reactors 1 . 2 is possible. The condensation device 4 has a lower inlet connection and an upper outlet connection for a cooling water circuit 10 , Below the condensation device 4 is the separator 5 , both with each other via a condensate line 11 are connected. In the condensate line 11 is a vent port 12 used. The separator 5 is preferably designed as a well-known and applied Florentine bottle and has an upper oil overflow 13 for the lighter and thus settling oils and a lower water outlet 14 for the heavier hydrolate water. This water outlet 14 is with a water return pipe 15 connected to the two distillation reactors 1 . 2 in their lower areas connects to each other and which is a drain valve 16 has. Each distillation reactor 1 . 2 consists of a cylindrical reactor body 17 . 18 and a lower steam generating device 19 . 20 , which are both composed in a modular way. For receiving process water is the steam generator 19 . 20 trough-shaped. The cylindrical reactor body 17 . 18 is above the steam generating plant 19 . 20 arranged, open at the bottom and open at the top with a lid 21 . 22 lockable off leads. In every reactor body 17 . 18 is a raw material receptacle 23 mounted, which is cylindrical and open at both ends and at its upper edge elements for suspension and sealing against the reactor housing 17 . 18 has. Inside the raw materials container 23 there is a hanging element 24 with a gas-permeable storage shelf 25 for the raw material and an upward leading actuator 26 for the shelf 25 , In this case, the actuating element 26 designed so that they for fixing the position and for removing the shelf 25 suitable is. In an expedient embodiment, the shelf can 25 with the help of the actuating element 26 Wholly or partially be carried out under foldable to the distillation residues in this way from the raw materials receptacle 23 to remove.

Each steam generator 19 . 20 is alternatively designed for internal steam generation or for external steam generation.

For internal steam generation is the steam generator 19 . 20 filled with a sufficient amount of fresh water and has to drain the steam generator 19 . 20 a lower drain port 27 , Below the water level is a heater for heating the water. This heater consists of several and appropriately distributed arranged electric heating rods 28 that have an electrical connection 29 connected to an energy supplier.

For external steam generation, there is no water in the steam generator 19 . 20 , For this is the steam generator 19 . 20 alternatively with a steam connection 30 and one inside the steam generator 19 . 20 protruding steam lance 31 equipped, which is connected during operation with a foreign and not shown steam generating device.

The new distillation plant is suitable for alternating operation between the two distillation reactors 19 . 20 as well as for the joint operation of the two Destilla tion reactors 19 . 20 designed. In each case, the steam generation can take place internally or an external steam generation plant can be involved in the process.

For internal steam generation, both steam generation facilities are initially 19 . 20 once filled with a predetermined amount of treated water, for example, 400 liters.

For alternating operation between the two distillation reactors 1 . 2 First, for example, the second distillation reactor 2 shut off from the distillation circuit, in which the shut-off valve 9 in the steam line 7 and an unillustrated shut-off valve in the water return line 15 getting closed. Thereafter, the raw material receptacle 23 with its suspension element 24 outside the distillation reactor 1 filled with the plant raw material to be used and so with the aid of a lifting device from above into the open reactor body 17 hooked. Thereafter, the reactor body 17 sealed pressure-tight. Subsequently, the water in the steam generator 19 . 20 heated to the boiling point of the water, so that forms water vapor. This water vapor rises and thus comes into contact with the plant raw materials. This leads to sufficient heating of the plant raw materials and thus to a degassing of the oily components and to a mixing with the water vapor. The vapor mixture passes over the steam line 6 and the open shut-off valve 8th to the condensation device 4 where there is a heat exchange with the water of the cooling water circuit 10 comes. By cooling the vapor mixture to about 20 ° C it comes to the formation of a condensate, via the condensate line 11 is guided into the separator. There the movements of the condensate are calmed down, so that the components of the condensate separate from each other by settling the heavier water. The lighter oil components accumulate on the water and so can through the oil spill 13 or by pumping out of the separator 5 be removed. At the same time, the separated hydrolate water reaches the water outlet 14 and the water return line 15 forcibly back into the steam generator 19 , This closes the cycle of process water, which is very water-saving, but this also leads to a very high oil yield, because the possibly remaining in the water residues are returned to the distillation process.

During the process time of the first distillation reactor 1 becomes the raw material receptacle 23 of the second distillation reactor 2 in the same way already described filled with raw material and into the reactor body 18 of the second distillation reactor 2 hooked.

With the end of the distillation process in the first distillation reactor 1 be the appropriate shut-off valves 8th . 9 in the steam pipes 6 . 7 and in the water return line 15 switched over and the heater is actuated, so that so the distillation process in the second distillation reactor 2 starts. During the period of the distillation process in the second distillation reactor 2 becomes the first distillation reactor 1 from the back emptied and filled with new plant raw materials.

For a joint operation of the two distillation reactors 1 . 2 be the appropriate shut-off valves 8th . 9 in the steam pipes 6 . 7 and in the water return line 15 opened and both heaters activated.

For the mutual or joint operation of the two distillation reactors 1 . 2 with an external steam generation, the amounts of water are both steam generating facilities 19 . 20 via the drain connections 27 drained and the connections between the external steam generator and the steam connections 30 produced.

1

first distillation reactor

2

second distillation reactor

3

frame

4

condensation device

5

separator

6

first steam line

7

second steam line

8th

shut-off valve

9

shut-off valve

10

Cooling water circuit

11

condensate line

12

exhaust port

13

Oil Spill

14

water outlet

15

Water return line

16

drain valve

17

reactor body

18

reactor body

19

Steam generator

20

Steam generator

21

cover

22

cover

23

Commodity receptacle

24

hooking

25

shelf

26

actuator

27

drain port

28

heater

29

Electrical connection

30

steam connection

31

steam lance

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DD 216165 A1 [0007]

Claims (9)

Distillation plant for the production of essential oils, consisting of one or more distillation reactors arranged parallel to each other ( 1 . 2 ), a steam generator ( 19 . 20 ) for the distillation reactors ( 1 . 2 ), a condensation device ( 4 ) for the steam and a separator ( 5 ) for the condensate, wherein the steam generating device ( 19 . 20 ) containing one or more distillation reactors ( 1 . 2 ), the condensation device ( 4 ) and the separating device ( 5 ) are connected in series, characterized in that the distillation reactors ( 1 . 2 ) are stationary and each distillation reactor ( 1 . 2 ) a steam generating device ( 19 . 20 ) assigned. Distillation plant according to claim 1, characterized in that each steam generating device ( 19 . 20 ) is alternatively connectable to an internal or to an external steam generating plant. Distillation plant according to claim 2, characterized in that the separating device ( 5 ) for forming a closed process water circuit via a water return line ( 15 ) with the steam generator ( 19 . 20 ) connected is. Distillation reactor for a distillation plant, consisting of a closable reactor housing ( 17 ) for receiving the raw materials and from a steam generating device ( 19 . 20 ), wherein the reactor housing ( 17 ) an outgoing steam line ( 6 . 7 ), characterized in that the reactor housing ( 17 ) with a raw material receptacle ( 23 ) equipped with a gas-permeable storage shelf ( 25 ) and in the reactor housing ( 17 ) is executed suspended. Distillation reactor according to claim 4, characterized in that the raw material receptacle ( 23 ) is open at both ends and inside a suspension element ( 24 ), wherein the suspension element ( 24 ) from the gas-permeable storage tray ( 25 ) and one leading up and the shelf ( 25 ) carrying actuating element ( 26 ) consists. Distillation reactor according to claim 5, characterized in that the actuating element ( 26 ) designed so that it for fixing the position and for removing the shelf ( 25 ) suitable is. Distillation reactor according to claim 6, characterized in that the gas-permeable storage tray ( 25 ) is designed to fold down and with the actuating element ( 26 ) is connected so that the folding movement of the actuating element ( 26 ) is initiated. Distillation reactor according to claim 4, characterized in that the steam generating device ( 19 . 20 ) of the distillation reactor ( 1 . 2 ) is designed for both internal and external operation. Distillation reactor according to claim 8, characterized in that the steam generating device ( 19 . 20 ) is designed to receive the process water trough-like and has facilities for heating the process water or for the introduction of steam.