A distillation apparatus for refining leaf oil of jatropha

Abstract

The present application relates to distillation equipment technical field, and discloses a kind of distillation equipment for refining kint leaf essential oil, including distillation still and the cooling mechanism being communicated with the air outlet end of distillation still, also including the separation mechanism being communicated with cooling mechanism;Separation mechanism includes water storage component and the separation component being arranged in water storage component, cleaning assembly and transmission assembly are arranged inside.The kind of distillation equipment for refining kint leaf essential oil, by setting separation component, using first plate body and fifth plate body forcibly change the flow path of mixed solution and form the "S" shape baffle, prolongs the time of oil-water sedimentation separation, especially by setting inclined second plate body and its downward one side groove, provides the static shelter from wind for extremely easy emulsification micro oil bubble to be free from fluid shear force damage, effectively shortens the floating distance of micro oil drop and forces it to coalesce in groove, greatly improves the interception efficiency and one-time capture rate of micro suspended essential oil in kint leaf extract.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of distillation equipment technology, specifically to a distillation apparatus for extracting essential oil from hibiscus leaves. Background Technology

[0002] Hibiscus syriacus, also known as red hemp, foreign hemp, or giant hemp, is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the genus Hibiscus in the Malvaceae family. In recent years, with in-depth research on the high-value essential oil components abundant in hibiscus leaves, steam distillation has become the mainstream process for extracting essential oils from hibiscus leaves. However, hibiscus leaves contain a large amount of natural polysaccharides and saponins, which have extremely strong surface activity and emulsifying properties. During the distillation and condensation process, they readily encapsulate essential oil droplets, causing the essential oil to remain stably suspended in water in the form of micron-sized droplets, forming a highly stable emulsion.

[0003] Existing general-purpose steam distillation equipment typically consists of three parts: a distillation vessel for holding the raw material and heating it for distillation; a condenser for condensing the high-temperature oil-gas mixture back into a liquid; and an oil-water separator for achieving oil-water separation. Although the above equipment architecture is mature, it has significant limitations when processing extracts of hibiscus leaves containing high viscosity, primarily in the oil-water separation stage, which is the core of purification.

[0004] Existing oil-water separators mostly employ a simple single-chamber gravity settling structure, lacking effective flow field optimization design. In this structure, relying solely on gravity, only larger oil droplets with significant buoyancy can overcome fluid resistance and quickly float to the surface. However, for residual fine oil droplets encapsulated by polysaccharides and saponins, with densities close to water and extremely low surface tension, the lack of physical aggregation-inducing structures (such as guide plates, inclined plates, or corrugated plates) makes it difficult for them to effectively collide and coalesce within the single chamber. This results in the fine oil droplets remaining suspended in the mixture for a long time or rising at an extremely slow speed.

[0005] In continuous production operations, the residual essential oils that could have been recovered often cannot be separated into layers before wastewater is discharged, and are eventually discharged with the lower layer of wastewater, resulting in a reduction in essential oil yield and a waste of resources. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an oil-water separation device that can efficiently demulsify and coalesce such highly emulsified materials. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a distillation apparatus for extracting essential oil from hibiscus leaves, which can reduce the waste of essential oil.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a distillation apparatus for extracting essential oil from hibiscus leaves, comprising a distillation kettle and a cooling mechanism connected to the gas outlet of the distillation kettle, and further comprising a separation mechanism connected to the cooling mechanism;

[0008] The separation mechanism includes a water storage component and a separation component, a cleaning component, and a transmission component disposed inside the water storage component;

[0009] The separating component divides the interior of the water storage component into a chamber for the flow of the mixed liquid, and the separating component includes an inclined second plate for intercepting and agglomerating essential oil particles in the mixed liquid.

[0010] The transmission component is located on the path of the essential oil overflow discharge, and the transmission component is connected to the cleaning component. The overflowing essential oil can drive the transmission component to rotate, thereby driving the cleaning component to move along the surface of the second plate to scrape away debris.

[0011] Furthermore, the cooling mechanism includes a first housing, a first tube, a third tube, two first covers, two fifth tubes, and several fourth tubes. The two ends of the first housing are respectively fastened to the two first covers via two first flanges. One end of each of the two first covers is fixedly connected to one end of each of the two fifth tubes. The two ends of the first housing are also fixedly connected to one end of each of the first tube and one end of the third tube. The other end of the third tube is fastened to the gas outlet of the distillation vessel via a second flange. The other end of the first tube and the end of one of the first covers away from the other are both connected to the separation mechanism. The interiors of the distillation vessel, the third tube, the first housing, and the first tube are sequentially connected, as are the interiors of the two first covers, the two fifth tubes, and the several fourth tubes.

[0012] Furthermore, the separation mechanism also includes a second pipe and an oil flow assembly. One end of the second pipe is fastened to the end of the first pipe away from the first housing via a third flange. The other end of the second pipe is connected to one end of the water storage assembly. The interior of the water storage assembly is connected to the oil flow assembly, the separation assembly, the cleaning assembly, and the transmission assembly.

[0013] Furthermore, the water storage assembly includes a second housing and a second cover. The upper surface of the second housing is fastened to the bottom surface of the second cover via a fourth flange. The oil flow assembly, the separation assembly, the cleaning assembly, and the transmission assembly are all located between the second housing and the second cover.

[0014] Furthermore, the partition assembly also includes a first plate, a fifth plate, and two third plates. The first and fifth plates are parallel, as are the two third plates. There are at least two second plates, and the two second plates are parallel. Both ends of the first and fifth plates are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the second housing. The two third plates are perpendicular to the first plate. The upper surfaces of both third plates are fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the first plate. The same end of each of the two third plates is also fixedly connected to the side of the fifth plate. The bottom surfaces of the two third plates are also fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the inner wall of the second housing. The height of the two third plates is the same as the height of the inner wall of the second housing. The upper surfaces of the first and fifth plates abut against the bottom surface of the second cover. The two second plates are inclined relative to the first and fifth plates. The two sides of the two second plates are fixedly connected to the adjacent side of the two third plates, and the upper surface of one of the second plates is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the first plate. The cleaning component is connected to the second plates. The first and fifth plates divide the interior of the second housing into a second cavity and a third cavity, wherein the third cavity and the first plate are both located on the side closer to the second tube.

[0015] Furthermore, the cleaning assembly includes a first rod, a second rod, a scraper, and at least one rope. The first rod and the second rod are parallel, with the first rod positioned above the second rod. The two ends of the first rod and the two ends of the second rod, totaling four ends, are rotatably connected to two third plates via four first sealed bearings. The scraping surface of the scraper abuts against the upward-facing side of the second plate. One side of the scraper is fixedly connected to one end of the rope, and the other end of the rope passes under the second rod and is fixedly connected to the first rod. One end of the first rod is connected to a transmission assembly.

[0016] Furthermore, a number of equally spaced grooves are provided on the downward-facing side of the second plate.

[0017] Metal plates are fixedly connected to the adjacent sides of the two third plates, and magnets are fixedly connected to both ends of the scraper, with the magnets attracting the metal plates.

[0018] Furthermore, the two third plates separate a fourth cavity from each side of the second cavity and the third cavity. The two fourth cavities are located on the sides of the second housing away from the second tube. The transmission component is located in one of the fourth cavities. The bottom surface of the second housing is provided with second through ports on both sides. The oil conveying component, the two second through ports, the two fourth cavities, the second cavity and the third cavity are internally connected.

[0019] Furthermore, the transmission assembly includes a third rod, two bevel gears, and several sixth plates. The two ends of the third rod are rotatably connected to the second housing and the fifth plate respectively through two second sealed bearings. One side of several sixth plates is fixedly connected to the surface of the third rod at equal intervals. The sixth plates are located on the side of the third plate near the second opening. The two bevel gears are fixedly connected to the third rod and the first rod respectively. The two bevel gears mesh. The several sixth plates are divided into two groups on average. The two bevel gears are located between the two groups of sixth plates.

[0020] The oil flow assembly includes a third housing and an eighth pipe. The third housing is U-shaped. The upper surface of the third housing is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the outer wall of the second housing. The two ends of the U-shape of the third housing are respectively connected to two second ports. The bottom surface of the middle part of the U-shape of the third housing is fixedly connected to one end of the eighth pipe.

[0021] The fifth plate has an inverted U-shaped cross section. The side of the fifth plate away from the first plate also separates the interior of the second shell into a first cavity. The end of the second shell away from the second tube is fixedly connected to the sixth tube and the seventh tube. The sixth tube is located above the seventh tube. At the same time, the sixth tube is located below the upper surface of the third plate and above the inverted U-shaped opening of the fifth plate. The sixth tube, the seventh tube, the first cavity, the inverted U-shaped opening of the fifth plate, and the interior of the second cavity are connected in sequence.

[0022] Several fourth plates are fixedly connected to the surfaces of the first and second rods, with the fourth plates in pairs and the rope located between the two fourth plates in the same group.

[0023] A first opening is provided through one side of the second cover, and a transparent glass plate is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the first opening.

[0024] Furthermore, a box is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the second shell. The box is located below the third cavity, and the interior of the box forms a fifth cavity. The fifth cavity is connected to the interior of the third cavity. The two ends of the second rod are rotatably connected to the two sides of the box through two third sealed bearings. The bottom end of the inclined surface of the second plate faces the fifth cavity.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] This distillation equipment for extracting essential oil from hibiscus leaves uses a separation component to forcibly change the flow path of the mixture by using the first and fifth plates to form an "S"-shaped flow, which prolongs the time for oil-water sedimentation and separation. In particular, by setting an inclined second plate and its downward-facing tank, a static haven is provided for the easily emulsified micro essential oil bubbles, which are protected from the damage of fluid shear force. This effectively shortens the floating distance of the micro oil droplets and forces them to coalesce in the tank, greatly improving the interception efficiency and one-time capture rate of micro suspended essential oils in hibiscus leaf extract.

[0027] This distillation equipment for extracting essential oil from hibiscus leaves cleverly converts the gravitational potential energy of the overflowing essential oil into mechanical traction force through a linkage mechanism consisting of a transmission component and a cleaning component. When the collected essential oil overflows and drips onto the sixth plate, its gravity directly drives the wheel axle to rotate and unidirectionally wind up the rope, thereby pulling the scraper to automatically scrape off the hibiscus mucus adhering to the surface of the second plate. This self-driven design without external power supply is not only energy-saving, but also achieves intelligent adaptive maintenance of "the more oil produced, the faster the cleaning", completely solving the industry problem of high-viscosity materials easily clogging the separation channel.

[0028] This distillation equipment for extracting essential oil from hibiscus leaves uses a box independent of the main channel and highly precisely matched water and oil outlet pipes. The scraped slurry is concentrated and settled into the fifth chamber of the box, effectively preventing impurities from being swept up again in the flow channel. At the same time, in the final stage of extraction, pure water is added to the system through the seventh pipe. The hydrostatic pressure principle of communicating vessels is used to forcibly raise the overall liquid level, completely squeezing the last bit of essential oil remaining on the water surface into the oil outlet component for discharge. This achieves zero dead zone and zero loss collection of essential oil in the pipeline. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall appearance of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall appearance of the invention from another perspective;

[0031] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the components of the cooling mechanism of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a detailed external schematic diagram of the separation mechanism of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 4 Front view of each component;

[0034] Figure 6 For the present invention Figure 4 Partial cross-sectional schematic diagrams of various components;

[0035] Figure 7 For the present invention Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the various components from another perspective;

[0036] Figure 8 For the present invention Figure 6 Further cross-sectional schematic diagrams of each component;

[0037] Figure 9 For the present invention Figure 8 Front view of each component;

[0038] Figure 10 For the present invention Figure 9 Explosion diagrams of various components;

[0039] Figure 11 For the present invention Figure 10 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0040] Figure 12 This is an exploded view of the cleaning component, transmission component, and housing of the present invention.

[0041] In the picture:

[0042] 1. Distillation vessel;

[0043] 2. Cooling mechanism; 21. First shell; 22. First tube body; 23. First cover body; 24. Third tube body; 25. Fourth tube body; 26. Fifth tube body;

[0044] 3. Separation mechanism; 31. Second tube body;

[0045] 32. Water storage component; 321. Second housing; 322. Second cover; 323. Sixth pipe; 324. Seventh pipe; 325. First port; 326. First cavity; 327. Second cavity; 328. Third cavity; 329. Second port;

[0046] 33. Oil flow assembly; 331. Third housing; 332. Eighth pipe body;

[0047] 34. Separator assembly; 341. First plate; 342. Second plate; 343. Third plate; 344. Fifth plate; 345. Groove; 346. Metal plate;

[0048] 35. Cleaning components; 351. First rod; 352. Second rod; 353. Fourth plate; 354. Scraper; 355. Rope;

[0049] 36. Transmission assembly; 361. Sixth plate; 362. Third rod; 363. Bevel gear;

[0050] 4. Box body; 41. Fifth cavity. Detailed Implementation

[0051] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0052] Please see Figures 1-12A distillation apparatus for extracting essential oil from hibiscus leaves includes a distillation kettle 1 and a cooling mechanism 2 connected to the gas outlet of the distillation kettle 1, and a separation mechanism 3 connected to the cooling mechanism 2.

[0053] The separation mechanism 3 includes a water storage component 32 and a separation component 34, a cleaning component 35 and a transmission component 36 disposed inside the water storage component 32;

[0054] The separating component 34 divides the interior of the water storage component 32 into a chamber for the flow of the mixed liquid, and the separating component 34 includes an inclined second plate 342, which is used to intercept and aggregate essential oil particles in the mixed liquid.

[0055] The transmission component 36 is located on the path of the essential oil overflow discharge, and the transmission component 36 is connected to the cleaning component 35. The overflowing essential oil can drive the transmission component 36 to rotate, thereby driving the cleaning component 35 to move along the surface of the second plate 342 to scrape away debris.

[0056] Furthermore, it should be noted that the distillation vessel 1 is based on existing mature technology. In this invention, no modifications have been made to the internal or external structure or working principle of the distillation vessel 1, and its original functions have been retained.

[0057] Furthermore, in order to rapidly cool and condense the mixed vapor distilled from the inside of the distillation vessel 1, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cooling mechanism 2 includes a first shell 21, a first tube 22, a third tube 24, two first covers 23, two fifth tubes 26, and several fourth tubes 25. The two ends of the first shell 21 are respectively fastened to the two first covers 23 through two first flanges. One end of the two first covers 23 is respectively fixedly connected to one end of the two fifth tubes 26. The two ends of the first shell 21 are also respectively fixedly connected to one end of the first tube 22 and one end of the third tube 24. The other end of the third tube 24 is fastened to the gas outlet of the distillation vessel 1 through a second flange. The other end of the first tube 22 and the end of one of the first covers 23 away from the other first cover 23 are both connected to the separation mechanism 3. The interiors of the distillation vessel 1, the third tube 24, the first shell 21, and the first tube 22 are sequentially connected, and the interiors of the two first covers 23, the two fifth tubes 26, and the several fourth tubes 25 are sequentially connected.

[0058] Specifically, such as Figures 1-3 As shown, in use, the external coolant is first connected to the two fifth tubes 26, so that the coolant can enter the first housing 21 through several fourth tubes 25 for subsequent heat exchange.

[0059] Subsequently, when the mixed steam is discharged from the outlet of the distillation vessel 1, it enters the first shell 21 through the third tube 24 and then contacts the coolant in the fourth tube 25 for heat exchange, thereby condensing the mixed steam into liquid. This liquid then flows to the bottom of the first shell 21 and then flows from the first tube 22 to the separation mechanism 3 for subsequent separation of essential oil and pure water.

[0060] Furthermore, in order to separate the essential oil and pure water flowing out of the first tube 22, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the separation mechanism 3 further includes a second tube 31 and an oil flow assembly 33. One end of the second tube 31 is fastened to the end of the first tube 22 away from the first housing 21 through a third flange, and the other end of the second tube 31 is connected to one end of the water storage assembly 32. The interior of the water storage assembly 32 is connected to the oil flow assembly 33, the separation assembly 34, the cleaning assembly 35 and the transmission assembly 36.

[0061] Specifically, such as Figures 4-12 As shown, before use, the water storage component 32 is filled with pure water that is about to overflow or the mixture from the last distillation. Then, as the mixed liquid enters the water storage component 32 through the second tube 31, the newly entered mixed liquid will not only be cooled a second time due to the low temperature of the pure water or the previous mixed liquid, but this part of the mixed liquid will also begin to separate inside the water storage component 32 (because the density of hibiscus essential oil is lower than that of pure water, the essential oil usually floats on the water surface). After that, as more and more liquid enters the water storage component 32, the separated essential oil will gradually overflow into the oil discharge component 33, and then be discharged from the inside of the oil discharge component 33 into a special external oil collection tank for unified collection.

[0062] During the essential oil separation process, some small essential oil particles may not rise to the water surface smoothly or quickly. At this time, the separator 34 can capture these small particles of essential oil. After accumulating to a certain extent (such as large bubbles), these essential oil particles can rise to the water surface quickly. Then, as the amount increases, overflow occurs.

[0063] In addition, during the overflow process, the overflowing essential oil will also drive the transmission component 36 to rotate, thereby moving the cleaning component 35 through the transmission component 36, which can clean the separating component 34 that captures tiny essential oils, and prevent the accumulation of impurities such as mucus in the mixture, which would affect the capture of bubbles.

[0064] More specifically, the water storage component 32 includes a second housing 321 and a second cover 322. The upper surface of the second housing 321 is fastened to the bottom surface of the second cover 322 through a fourth flange. The oil discharge component 33, the separation component 34, the cleaning component 35 and the transmission component 36 are all located between the second housing 321 and the second cover 322.

[0065] Specifically, by setting up the water storage component 32, the sealed space formed by the second shell 321 and the second cover 322 can hold a sufficient amount of pure water, so that the flow rate can be quickly reduced after the mixed liquid enters, and the density difference between water and essential oil can be used to perform preliminary gravity stratification. At the same time, this component also serves as the mounting base for core components such as the oil flow component 33 and the separation component 34, ensuring that the entire separation process is carried out in a sealed state and preventing the loss of essential oil components through evaporation.

[0066] More specifically, the partition assembly 34 further includes a first plate 341, a fifth plate 344, and two third plates 343. The first plate 341 and the fifth plate 344 are parallel, the two third plates 343 are parallel, and there are at least two second plates 342, which are parallel. Both ends of the first plate 341 and the fifth plate 344 are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the second housing 321. The two third plates 343 are perpendicular to the first plate 341. The upper surfaces of the two third plates 343 are fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the first plate 341. The same end of each of the two third plates 343 is also fixedly connected to the side of the fifth plate 344. The bottom surfaces of the two third plates 343 are also fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the inner wall of the second housing 321. The height of the three plates 343 is the same as the height of the inner wall of the second housing 321. The upper surfaces of the first plate 341 and the fifth plate 344 abut against the bottom surface of the second cover 322. The two second plates 342 are inclined relative to the first plate 341 and the fifth plate 344. The two sides of the two second plates 342 are fixedly connected to the adjacent side of the two third plates 343 respectively, and the upper surface of one of the second plates 342 is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the first plate 341. The cleaning component 35 is connected to the second plates 342. The first plates 341 and the fifth plate 344 divide the interior of the second housing 321 into a second cavity 327 and a third cavity 328, wherein the third cavity 328 and the first plate 341 are both located on the side close to the second tube 31.

[0067] Specifically, by setting the partition component 34, the originally single chamber can be divided into a first chamber 326, a second chamber 327, and a third chamber 328 with clearly defined functions. Among them, the first plate 341 and the fifth plate 344 forcibly change the flow path of the liquid, forming an "S-shaped" guiding effect, which prolongs the journey of the mixture in water. The inclined second plate 342 shortens the floating distance of the fine oil droplets. By using the interception effect of its lower surface, the originally suspended essential oil can be aggregated here, thus solving the problem of the difficulty in capturing fine oil droplets in the hibiscus emulsion.

[0068] More specifically, the cleaning assembly 35 includes a first rod 351, a second rod 352, a scraper 354, and at least one rope 355. The first rod 351 and the second rod 352 are parallel, with the first rod 351 located above the second rod 352. The two ends of the first rod 351 and the two ends of the second rod 352, for a total of four ends, are rotatably connected to two third plates 343 via four first sealed bearings. The scraping surface of the scraper 354 abuts against the upward-facing side of the second plate 342. One side of the scraper 354 is fixedly connected to one end of the rope 355, and the other end of the rope 355 passes under the second rod 352 and is fixedly connected to the first rod 351. One end of the first rod 351 is connected to the transmission assembly 36.

[0069] Specifically, by setting up the cleaning component 35, since the hibiscus extract contains a large amount of viscous polysaccharides and saponins, it is easy for scale to accumulate on the smooth surface of the second plate 342 during long-term operation. The first rod 351 can precisely drive the scraper 354 to reciprocate along the plate surface by winding the rope 355, like a windshield wiper, to forcefully push the attached sticky matter into the collection area below, ensuring the long-term smoothness of the separation channel and avoiding the trouble of manual disassembly and cleaning.

[0070] More specifically, the second plate 342 has several equally spaced grooves 345 on its downward-facing side;

[0071] Specifically, by setting up several tanks 345, these equidistant stepped tanks can effectively interrupt the shear force of the water flow sliding along the plate surface, providing a "safe haven" for tiny essential oil bubbles. After the essential oil particles enter the tank 345, they will stop and collide with each other until they gather into sufficiently large bubbles to overcome the tank resistance and float up, thereby improving the equipment's interception efficiency for easily emulsified trace essential oils.

[0072] More specifically, metal plates 346 are fixedly connected to one side of each of the two third plates 343, and magnets are fixedly connected to both ends of the scraper 354, with the magnets attracting the metal plates 346.

[0073] Specifically, by setting up a metal plate 346 and a magnet, the magnetic attraction generated by the magnet can ensure that the scraper 354 is always pressed tightly against the surface of the second plate 342 during the movement, preventing the scraper 354 from detaching from the plate surface due to liquid buoyancy or impurity resistance. This magnetic guiding design not only ensures the thoroughness of the scraping effect, but also facilitates installation and disassembly.

[0074] It should be noted that when scraper 354 moves to the bottom, the current processing is complete. At this point, scraper 354 can be reset during the overall overhaul.

[0075] More specifically, the two third plates 343 separate the two sides of the second cavity 327 and the third cavity 328 by one or two fourth cavities. The two fourth cavities are located on the two sides of the second housing 321 away from the second tube 31. The transmission assembly 36 is located in one of the fourth cavities. The bottom surface of the second housing 321 is provided with two through openings 329 on both sides. The oil flow assembly 33, the two second through openings 329, the two fourth cavities, the second cavity 327 and the third cavity 328 are internally connected.

[0076] Specifically, by setting up a fourth cavity and a second port 329, the fourth cavity serves as the accommodating space of the transmission component 36, which can prevent external impurities from interfering with the mechanical operation, while the second port 329 serves as the portal for the essential oil to leave the water storage component 32, ensuring that the overflowing essential oil can accurately fall onto the sixth plate 361, thereby converting the gravitational potential energy of the essential oil into the driving force of the cleaning system.

[0077] More specifically, the transmission assembly 36 includes a third rod 362, two bevel gears 363, and a plurality of sixth plates 361. The two ends of the third rod 362 are rotatably connected to the second housing 321 and the fifth plate 344 respectively via two second sealed bearings. One side of the plurality of sixth plates 361 is fixedly connected to the surface of the third rod 362 at equal intervals. The sixth plates 361 are located on the side of the third plate 343 near the second opening 329. The two bevel gears 363 are fixedly connected to the third rod 362 and the first rod 351 respectively. The two bevel gears 363 mesh. The plurality of sixth plates 361 are evenly divided into two groups, and the two bevel gears 363 are located between the two groups of sixth plates 361.

[0078] Specifically, by setting up a transmission component 36, the gravity of the overflowing essential oil is used to drive the third rod 362 to rotate, and this rotational torque is transmitted to the cleaning component 35 through the bevel gear 363. This design makes the cleaning frequency of the equipment proportional to the essential oil production rate: the more essential oil is produced, the more frequently it overflows, and the more proactive the cleaning action becomes. This not only saves energy, but also realizes the intelligent linkage of separation and self-maintenance.

[0079] More specifically, the oil conveying assembly 33 includes a third housing 331 and an eighth pipe 332. The third housing 331 is U-shaped. The upper surface of the third housing 331 is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the outer wall of the second housing 321. The two ends of the U-shape of the third housing 331 are respectively connected to two second ports 329. The bottom surface of the middle part of the U-shape of the third housing 331 is fixedly connected to one end of the eighth pipe 332.

[0080] Specifically, by setting up the oil-flowing component 33, it can simultaneously receive the essential oil discharged from the two fourth chambers and guide it to the eighth tube 332 in the middle. This funnel-shaped design effectively avoids the residue of essential oil sticking to the wall during the discharge process, ensuring that the final produced essential oil can smoothly and completely enter the external collection bucket.

[0081] More specifically, the fifth plate 344 has an inverted U-shaped cross-section. The side of the fifth plate 344 away from the first plate 341 also separates the interior of the second shell 321 into a first cavity 326. The end of the second shell 321 away from the second tube 31 is fixedly connected to a sixth tube 323 and a seventh tube 324. The sixth tube 323 is located above the seventh tube 324. At the same time, the sixth tube 323 is located below the upper surface of the third plate 343 and above the inverted U-shaped opening of the fifth plate 344. The inverted U-shaped opening of the sixth tube 323, the seventh tube 324, the first cavity 326, the fifth plate 344, and the interior of the second cavity 327 are connected in sequence.

[0082] Specifically, by setting up a first chamber 326, a sixth tube 323, and a seventh tube 324, the first chamber 326 serves as the final outlet for the clean water flow. Combined with the overflow control of the sixth tube 323, the overall liquid level can be kept constant. In addition to serving as a water inlet, the seventh tube 324 is used to add pure water at the end stage. By using the principle of communicating vessels to raise the water level, the last layer of essential oil remaining in the system can be completely squeezed out, achieving zero-loss collection of essential oil.

[0083] It is important to note that, since the density of hibiscus essential oil is less than that of pure water, the pure water column in the first chamber 326 and the oil-water mixture columns in the second chamber 327 and the third chamber 328 form a communicating vessel with static pressure balance. Here, by setting the height of the sixth tube 323 at the water outlet to be slightly lower than the height of the upper surface of the third plate 343 at the oil outlet, the density difference between water and essential oil is offset by this height difference. During continuous feeding, due to the effect of static pressure balance, only the lighter essential oil floating on the top layer can overflow through the higher third plate 343, while the heavier pure water at the bottom can only be discharged from the lower sixth tube 323. This achieves absolute physical isolation between oil and water in the mechanical structure, avoiding the risk of oil leakage or water ingress.

[0084] More specifically, a plurality of fourth plates 353 are fixedly connected to the surfaces of the first rod 351 and the second rod 352, with the plurality of fourth plates 353 in pairs, and the rope 355 located between the two fourth plates 353 in the same pair.

[0085] Specifically, by setting the fourth plate 353, the winding path of the rope 355 can be constrained like a track, preventing the rope 355 from getting tangled, overlapping, or shifting left or right during rotation. This ensures that the scraper 354 always moves smoothly and avoids scraping dead corners or mechanical jamming caused by uneven rope force.

[0086] More specifically, a first opening 325 is provided through one side of the second cover 322, and a transparent glass plate is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the first opening 325.

[0087] Specifically, by setting up the first inlet 325 and the transparent glass plate, the oil-water interface height in the chamber, the overflow frequency of essential oil, and the cleanliness of the surface of the second plate 342 can be observed at any time. This visualization design greatly facilitates the control of the distillation progress and allows for timely detection and handling of abnormal accumulation.

[0088] Furthermore, in order to collect impurities such as viscous liquid in the mixture entering the third cavity 328, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a box 4 is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the second shell 321. The box 4 is located below the third cavity 328, and a fifth cavity 41 is formed inside the box 4. The fifth cavity 41 communicates with the interior of the third cavity 328. The two ends of the second rod 352 are rotatably connected to the two sides of the box 4 through two third sealed bearings, and the lowest end of the inclined surface of the second plate 342 faces the fifth cavity 41.

[0089] Specifically, such as Figures 4-12 As shown, during use, the debris entering the third cavity 328 will slowly sink due to gravity and fall into the fifth cavity 41 of the box 4. Since the fifth cavity 41 is located at the bottom of the inclined surface of the second plate 342, the debris adhering to the surface of the second plate 342 will also enter the fifth cavity 41 for collection after being cleaned by the cleaning component 35.

[0090] In addition, to ensure continuous operation and subsequent maintenance of the equipment, a drain port is provided at the bottom of the box 4, and an external drain valve (not shown in the figure) is installed at the drain port. When the hibiscus sap and impurities collected in the fifth chamber 41 accumulate to a certain extent, or during the cleaning stage after a single distillation operation, the operator can open the drain valve and use the water flow to flush out the solid impurities and thick liquid in the fifth chamber 41 directly, thereby restoring the equipment to its initial clean state and ensuring the long-term continuous operation of the separation mechanism 3.

[0091] Working principle:

[0092] Before officially starting the refining process, the leaves of the hibiscus to be distilled are first placed in the distillation kettle 1 and an appropriate amount of water is added. Then, pure water or the mixture left over from the previous distillation is injected into the interior of the water storage component 32 (i.e., the first chamber 326, the second chamber 327 and the third chamber 328) through the seventh tube 324. During the injection, the liquid level needs to be observed through the glass window of the first port 325. When the liquid level reaches the position of the second plate 342 and the water level in the three chambers remains the same and is all below the third plate 343, the water injection is stopped and the seventh tube 324 is closed. At this time, an initial water seal is formed inside the system.

[0093] After the distillation officially begins, the mixed steam generated by the heating of the distillation vessel 1 enters the first shell 21 of the cooling mechanism 2 through the third tube 24. The steam in the first shell 21 contacts and exchanges heat with the cooling liquid circulating in the fourth tube 25, and quickly condenses into liquid. Then the condensed mixed liquid flows into the separation mechanism 3 through the second tube 31 along the first tube 22.

[0094] After the mixed liquid enters the pure water in the third chamber 328, it undergoes secondary cooling and initial separation. At this time, the large bubbles in the essential oil will float directly upward and remain on the water surface of the third chamber 328. As for the small amount or small bubbles of micro essential oil, they will pass through the second plate 342 with the fluid. Since the bottom surface of the second plate 342 is provided with several stepped tanks 345, these small essential oil bubbles will be captured and enter the tanks 345 to converge. When these essential oils gradually gather into large bubbles and break free from the restriction of the tanks 345, they will also rise quickly to the top of the third plate 343, realizing further recovery of the remaining essential oil.

[0095] As the mixed liquid continues to be injected, the overall water level inside the water storage component 32 will gradually rise. When the water level reaches the overflow level, the essential oil floating on the water surface will overflow along the third plate 343 into the fourth cavity and fall onto the sixth plate 361 of the transmission component 36. Driven by the gravity of the essential oil, the sixth plate 361 rotates downward with the third rod 362. Through the meshing bevel gears 363, the first rod 351 of the cleaning component 35 rotates synchronously. When the first rod 351 rotates, it will unidirectionally wind up the rope 355, thereby pulling the scraper 354 to gradually move along the surface of the second plate 342. The ingenious aspect of this downward sliding motion lies in the fact that the downward speed of the scraper 354 is strictly proportional to the overflow rate of essential oil production. The more essential oil is produced, the longer the stroke of the transmission component 36 driving the first rod 351 to rewind. When the distillation operation is nearing its end, the scraper 354 is just pulled by the rope 355 to the bottom of the second plate 342 (i.e., the opening of the box 4). Thus, without consuming any additional power, it scrapes the viscous impurities attached to the inclined surface in one go and thoroughly into the box 4 below for collection, just like a windshield wiper, avoiding the impact of impurity accumulation on essential oil capture.

[0096] At the end of this distillation operation, first close the distillation vessel 1 and the cooling mechanism 2 to stop the continued entry of the mixture. Then, open the seventh tube 324 again to add pure water into the cavity. As the water level rises further, the remaining essential oil floating on the water surface will continue to overflow and be collected. Observe through the first port 325 until there is no essential oil residue in the third cavity 328 and the second cavity 327. Then close the seventh tube 324 to complete the entire refining process.

[0097] Finally, it should be noted that in order to further adapt to the high viscosity of the hibiscus leaf extract, prevent component jamming, and improve separation efficiency, a polytetrafluoroethylene anti-stick coating can be sprayed on the upper surface of the second plate 342, the inner wall of the tank 345, the surface of the scraper 354, and the liquid receiving surface of the sixth plate 361.

[0098] Furthermore, during the extraction of hibiscus leaf essential oil, due to the emulsification of saponins and polysaccharides, the condensed mixture contains a large number of dispersed phase essential oil particles with a particle size between 1 micrometer and 100 micrometers. Since the buoyancy of essential oil particles in this size range is weak, it is difficult to achieve rapid stratification in the gravity flow. At this time, by setting the tilt angle of the second plate 342 and the geometric depth of each tank 345, it is possible to physically intercept the essential oil particles in this specific particle size range, causing them to remain in the tank and agglomerate into large oil droplets with a particle size greater than 100 micrometers, thereby accelerating their upward overflow and improving the extraction speed of hibiscus essential oil.

[0099] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended technical solutions and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A distillation apparatus for extracting essential oil from hibiscus leaves, comprising a distillation kettle (1) and a cooling mechanism (2) connected to the outlet of the distillation kettle (1), characterized in that, It also includes a separation mechanism (3) connected to the cooling mechanism (2); The separation mechanism (3) includes a water storage component (32) and a separation component (34), a cleaning component (35) and a transmission component (36) disposed inside the water storage component (32). The separating component (34) divides the interior of the water storage component (32) into a chamber for the flow of the mixed liquid, and the separating component (34) includes an inclined second plate (342) for intercepting and agglomerating essential oil particles in the mixed liquid; The transmission component (36) is located on the path of the overflow of essential oil, and the transmission component (36) is connected to the cleaning component (35) in a transmission manner. The overflowing essential oil can drive the transmission component (36) to rotate, thereby driving the cleaning component (35) to move along the surface of the second plate (342) to scrape off debris.

2. The distillation apparatus for extracting essential oil from hibiscus leaves according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling mechanism (2) includes a first housing (21), a first tube (22), a third tube (24), two first covers (23), two fifth tubes (26), and several fourth tubes (25). The two ends of the first housing (21) are respectively fastened to the two first covers (23) through two first flanges. One end of each of the two first covers (23) is respectively fixedly connected to one end of each of the two fifth tubes (26). The two ends of the first housing (21) are also respectively connected to one end of the first tube (22) and the third tube (24). One end of the first tube (22) is fixedly connected, and the other end of the third tube (24) is tightly connected to the gas outlet of the distillation vessel (1) through the second flange. The other end of the first tube (22) and the end of one of the first covers (23) away from the other first cover (23) are connected to the separation mechanism (3). The distillation vessel (1), the third tube (24), the first shell (21) and the first tube (22) are connected in sequence. The two first covers (23), the two fifth tubes (26) and the several fourth tubes (25) are connected in sequence.

3. The distillation equipment for extracting essential oil from hibiscus leaves according to claim 2, characterized in that, The separation mechanism (3) further includes a second pipe (31) and an oil flow assembly (33). One end of the second pipe (31) is fastened to the end of the first pipe (22) away from the first housing (21) through a third flange. The other end of the second pipe (31) is connected to one end of the water storage assembly (32). The interior of the water storage assembly (32) is connected to the oil flow assembly (33), the separation assembly (34), the cleaning assembly (35), and the transmission assembly (36).

4. A distillation apparatus for extracting essential oil from hibiscus leaves according to claim 3, characterized in that, The water storage component (32) includes a second housing (321) and a second cover (322). The upper surface of the second housing (321) is fastened to the bottom surface of the second cover (322) through a fourth flange. The oil flow component (33), the separation component (34), the cleaning component (35) and the transmission component (36) are all located between the second housing (321) and the second cover (322).

5. A distillation apparatus for extracting essential oil from hibiscus leaves according to claim 4, characterized in that, The partition assembly (34) further includes a first plate (341), a fifth plate (344), and two third plates (343). The first plate (341) and the fifth plate (344) are parallel, and the two third plates (343) are parallel. There are at least two second plates (342), and the two second plates (342) are parallel. Both ends of the first plate (341) and the fifth plate (344) are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the second shell (321). The two third plates (343) are perpendicular to the first plate (341). The upper surfaces of the two third plates (343) are fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the first plate (341). The same end of the two third plates (343) is also fixedly connected to the side of the fifth plate (344). The bottom surface of the two third plates (343) is also fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the inner wall of the second shell (321). The height of the plate (343) is the same as the height of the inner wall of the second shell (321). The upper surfaces of the first plate (341) and the fifth plate (344) are abutted against the bottom surface of the second cover (322). The two second plates (342) are in an inclined state relative to the first plate (341) and the fifth plate (344). The two sides of the two second plates (342) are respectively fixedly connected to the adjacent side of the two third plates (343), and the upper surface of one of the second plates (342) is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the first plate (341). The cleaning component (35) is connected to the second plate (342). The first plate (341) and the fifth plate (344) divide the interior of the second shell (321) into a second cavity (327) and a third cavity (328), wherein the third cavity (328) and the first plate (341) are both located on the side close to the second tube (31).

6. A distillation apparatus for extracting essential oil from hibiscus leaves according to claim 5, characterized in that, The cleaning assembly (35) includes a first rod (351), a second rod (352), a scraper (354), and at least one rope (355). The first rod (351) and the second rod (352) are parallel. The first rod (351) is located above the second rod (352). The two ends of the first rod (351) and the two ends of the second rod (352) are rotatably connected to two third plates (343) through four first sealed bearings. The scraping surface of the scraper (354) abuts against the upward side of the second plate (342). One side of the scraper (354) is fixedly connected to one end of the rope (355). The other end of the rope (355) passes under the second rod (352) and is fixedly connected to the first rod (351). One end of the first rod (351) is connected to the transmission assembly (36).

7. A distillation apparatus for extracting essential oil from hibiscus leaves according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second plate (342) has several equally spaced grooves (345) on its downward-facing side; Metal plates (346) are fixedly connected to the adjacent sides of the two third plates (343), and magnets are fixedly connected to both ends of the scraper (354), and the magnets are attracted to the metal plates (346).

8. A distillation apparatus for extracting essential oil from hibiscus leaves according to claim 7, characterized in that, The two third plates (343) separate a fourth cavity on each side of the second cavity (327) and the third cavity (328). The two fourth cavities are located on the two sides of the second housing (321) away from the second tube (31). The transmission assembly (36) is located in one of the fourth cavities. The bottom surface of the second housing (321) is provided with a second through port (329) on both sides. The oil flow assembly (33), the two second through ports (329), the two fourth cavities, the second cavity (327) and the third cavity (328) are internally connected.

9. A distillation apparatus for extracting essential oil from hibiscus leaves according to claim 8, characterized in that, The transmission assembly (36) includes a third rod (362), two bevel gears (363), and several sixth plates (361). The two ends of the third rod (362) are rotatably connected to the second housing (321) and the fifth plate (344) respectively through two second sealed bearings. One side of several sixth plates (361) is fixedly connected to the surface of the third rod (362) at equal intervals. The sixth plates (361) are located on the side of the third plate (343) near the second opening (329). The two bevel gears (363) are fixedly connected to the third rod (362) and the first rod (351) respectively. The two bevel gears (363) mesh. The several sixth plates (361) are divided into two groups on average. The two bevel gears (363) are located between the two groups of sixth plates (361). The oil flow assembly (33) includes a third housing (331) and an eighth pipe (332). The third housing (331) is U-shaped. The upper surface of the third housing (331) is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the outer wall of the second housing (321). The two ends of the U-shape of the third housing (331) are respectively connected to two second ports (329). The bottom surface of the middle part of the U-shape of the third housing (331) is fixedly connected to one end of the eighth pipe (332). The fifth plate (344) has an inverted U-shaped cross section. The side of the fifth plate (344) away from the first plate (341) also separates the interior of the second shell (321) into a first cavity (326). The end of the second shell (321) away from the second tube (31) is fixedly connected to a sixth tube (323) and a seventh tube (324). The sixth tube (323) is located above the seventh tube (324). At the same time, the sixth tube (323) is located below the upper surface of the third plate (343) and above the inverted U-shaped opening of the fifth plate (344). The sixth tube (323), the seventh tube (324), the first cavity (326), the inverted U-shaped opening of the fifth plate (344), and the interior of the second cavity (327) are connected in sequence. A plurality of fourth plates (353) are fixedly connected to the surfaces of the first rod (351) and the second rod (352), and the plurality of fourth plates (353) are in pairs, with the rope (355) located between the two fourth plates (353) in the same group; A first opening (325) is provided through one side of the second cover (322), and a transparent glass plate is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the first opening (325).

10. A distillation apparatus for extracting essential oil from hibiscus leaves according to claim 9, characterized in that, The bottom surface of the second housing (321) is fixedly connected to a box body (4), which is located below the third cavity (328). The box body (4) forms a fifth cavity (41) inside, which is connected to the interior of the third cavity (328). The two ends of the second rod (352) are rotatably connected to the two sides of the box body (4) through two third sealed bearings. The bottom end of the inclined surface of the second plate (342) faces the fifth cavity (41).

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