Modular Distillation Capsule for Essential Oil Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distillation systems for extracting volatile oils and hydrosols from organic matter are inefficient due to uncontrolled vapor dispersion and require longer processing times, leading to reduced quality and quantity of extracted materials.
Innovation Solution
A modular distillation and separation apparatus with a detachable capsule that enhances steam contact with plant matter, includes a condenser for separating volatile oils from hydrosols, and a peripheral liquid collecting channel to prevent condensate return, allowing for higher quality and quantity extraction with reduced energy and plant material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vapor is dispersed in an uncontrolled manner in the distillation chamber, then the distillation process is simpler to operate, but the extraction efficiency is needlessly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The distillation chamber is segmented into an upper chamber for plant matter and a lower chamber for water, with a removable grid separating them. This segmentation allows controlled vapor generation in the lower chamber while directing vapor flow through the plant matter in the upper chamber, improving extraction efficiency without complicating operation
Solution Approach 2:
A removable grid is introduced as an intermediary element between the water chamber and plant matter chamber. The grid facilitates controlled vapor dispersion through the plant matter while maintaining simplicity of operation through easy removal and cleaning, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and extraction efficiency
2Quantity of substance
If distillation time is extended to extract more volatile oils, then the quantity of oil increases, but the quality deteriorates due to hydrolysis and wax accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The distillation system maintains continuous and efficient vapor flow through the plant matter using the removable grid configuration, maximizing extraction rate within a short time frame. This continuous efficient action allows achieving high quantity and quality simultaneously by completing extraction before hydrolysis and wax accumulation occur
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes distillation parameters including vapor flow rate and contact time through the removable grid design, achieving maximum extraction efficiency in reduced time. By changing the effective distillation parameters through grid configuration, the system extracts sufficient oil quantity while maintaining quality by limiting exposure time to hydrolytic conditions
3Quantity of substance
If a larger volume of plant matter is used to increase oil yield, then the quantity of volatile oil increases, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The removable grid creates localized optimal vapor-plant matter contact zones in the upper chamber, ensuring efficient extraction from the plant matter present. This local optimization of vapor distribution improves extraction efficiency per unit of plant material, reducing the total plant matter volume needed and consequently lowering energy consumption while maintaining oil yield
4Loss of energy
If condensed liquid is returned to the water vessel for recycling, then water usage efficiency improves, but the quality of subsequent distillates decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes the condensed liquid from the distillation chamber through the removable grid configuration, preventing its return to the water vessel. This extraction of condensed liquid avoids contamination of the water supply, maintaining distillate quality while the water in the lower chamber can be replenished as needed, balancing water efficiency with product quality
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus achieves higher quality and quantity of volatile oils and hydrosols with shorter distillation times, minimizing hydrolysis and wax accumulation, and operates efficiently with less plant material and energy compared to prior art systems.
Implementation Method 1
Through the action of the condenser, the steam turns into a distillate containing water, hydrosol and volatile compounds
Implementation Method 2
The liquid flows from the condenser to a separating unit where the water-hydrosol is separated from the volatile oil
Implementation Method 3
Water steam generated by the apparatus is passed through the capsule
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a modular distillation system incorporating a removable capsule for containing source material for extraction. Through the action of the invention, the steam distillation process described herein produces a substantially larger amount of volatile oil than a distillation system that does not use an enclosed, modular system. The present invention provides for an apparatus that allows for greater contact between the steam and plant matter during the distillation process through the use of a closed removable capsule containing relatively small amount of plant matter. Additionally, the present invention is directed to a system that allows the generation of higher quality distillate and considerably higher quantity of volatile oil extracts by forcing the steam to evenly disperse through a removable capsule, and by preventing the condensed liquid to return back to the boiling water within the vessel.