Simulation of supercritical fluid extraction of orange essential oil

Abstract

The aim of this work is a supercritical fluid extraction process simulation with Aspen-Plus. Equipments used to simulate the process were selected according to the literature and involve two extraction vessels, two tanks, six heat exchangers, two separators and one pump, as well as suggested conditions to work out the selected process. Trial motivation came from the increasing interest in supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide, a solvent with highly desirable features: non-toxicity, non-flammability, moderate critical pressure and low boiling points. The high costs related to this kind of process, with energy consumption representing the most expensive item, demands for rapid economic analysis. Aspen-Plus allows for calculating the involved energy amount in a fast and efficient way, despite the simulator models' limitations. The method may be extended to similar processes involving other products and operating conditions