METHOD OF COMPLEX PROCESSING OF FOLIAGE Russian patent published in 2010 - IPC C11B9/02 

FIELD: process engineering.

SUBSTANCE: proposed method comprises mincing raw material at natural moisture content, extraction by water steam, condensing produced mix and extracting essential oil followed by re-feed of extragent into processed raw material. Raw material is processed continuously. First, air is preliminarily forced out from the system to be kept in waste stock hopper, condenser and separating flask during the entire process. Stock is heated on being fed into extractor. Processing if performed during backward feeding overheated water steam at T=160-165°C along with gradual cooling of water steam to saturation, transfer of hear power of processed foliage and subsequent processing of fed stock by saturated water steam at T=145-150°C. Processed foliage is squeezed and dried in rarified medium to moisture content of 10-15% re-minced and fed to packing of finished product. Water steam saturated by essential oil, is ejected after stock processing on rarifying for drying purposes, and condensed with transfer of heat power for pre-heating of stock. Condensed mix separated, heavy fraction is boiled out at T=145-150°C and partially extracted in the form of saturated spruce extract. Note here that boiled-out fluid is overheated to T=160-165°C and returned to stock processing.

EFFECT: reduced processing time, higher efficiency and savings.

1 dwg