Kinetic Modeling of Essential Oil Hydro-Distillation from Peels of Pomelo (Citrus grandis L.) Fruit Grown in Southern Vietnam

Thorough understanding of kinetics plays a key role in improving existing industrial processes. In this study, we attempted to model the hydro-distillation process that produces essential oil from peels pomelo (Citrus grandis L.) fruit, which is product with high economic value and wide range applications. We first determined optimal water-to-material ratio for attaining maximal yield. Then, further experimental attempts were carried out at different distillation rates generate data fit three kinetic models, namely first-order model, instantaneous washing, followed by diffusion simultaneous washing model. Overall, models have well described on (R2> 90%). Of which, R2 99.97% was chosen as most suitable describe extraction process. Estimated parameters also shown stage occurs more rapidly than later, stage. GC-MS results showed obtained sample characterized dominance D-Limonene compound (97.873%).