Abstract
In the literature, the drying mechanism were generally analyzed in terms of effective diffusivity through the pseudo first order diffusion model. This process was revisited through the modified Peleg model, assuming the drying as a moisture desorption versus drying time. The leaves of Corymbia citriodora acclimatized in the Congo Brazzaville “Plateau des Cataractes” were dried in open air and under shade thanks to a domestic scale of essential oil production. One obtains following model parameters: kinetic constant k1: 0.8555 - 2.1355 d.(g/g)-1, extraction capacity constant K2: 1.5255 - 1.8733 (g/g)-1; end equilibrium moisture X∞ = 0.53 - 0.66 g/g. and first order drying kinetic constant k = K2/k1: 1.71 - 1.78 d-1. Pseudo first order diffusion model fits experimental data with k = 0.368 - 0.587 d-1 and t1/2 = 1,18 - 1,88 d.. These results needed for the optimization of proccess and sizing equipments came from a fast graphic data processing, with low computer inputs.
Highlights
Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson, Hill and Johnson (1995), species with the highest essential oil content of the genus gathered a special attention for the development of the essential oil sector in the Congo Brazzaville Corymbia Silou et al (2009)
The modeling of the drying is generally considered as a diffusion phenomenon according to a pseudo first order kinetics when one assumes the rapid step of extraction of the free water negligible compared to that of the intraparticle diffusion
An additional hypothesis on the geometry of the plant matrix particles, leads to value of De, which is the central parameter for understanding the diffusional mechanism of drying. Another simpler and faster reading based on the graphical processing of the Peleg model, built around the kinetic constant k1 and the extraction capacity constant K2 is possible, without sophisticated numerical iteration programs
Summary
Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson, (ex Eucalyptus citriodora Hook.) Hill and Johnson (1995), species with the highest essential oil content of the genus gathered a special attention for the development of the essential oil sector in the Congo Brazzaville Corymbia Silou et al (2009). A project entitled "Development of marketing channels for essential oils of Eucalyptus citriodora, a non-timber forest product with high added value, by village communities in Congo", funded by Congo and ITTO was implemented for an experimental plantation of 300 ha of Corymbia citriodora Anonymous (2010). Our team supported this project for training in culture and distillation and provided technical support for process optimization. According the importance of technology (drying and extraction) in addition to the quantity and quality of the plant material, we undertook a study on the
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