Optimization of Lemon Grass Oil Extraction Process Using Factorial Design Technique

Abstract

The need for quality lemon grass oil for medicinal and other important purposes globally cannot be overemphasized. In this regard, there is the need to critically examine the combination of parameters (such as temperature, pressure, energy flow rate among others) that determine the quality and quantity of extracted lemon grass oil. However, the determination and combination of the critical extraction parameters have always been the major challenge in ensuring the quality and quantity of lemon grass oil. This paper, therefore, aims at determining the best combination of these critical extraction parameters that can give the best quality and quantity of the lemon grass oil. The objective of the research is to optimize the extraction of lemon grass oil processes using factorial design technique to develop and establish an empirical model to relate the extraction parameters. The empirical models were established using only response variables that had an effect on the critical parameters. These models can be used to monitor, forecast and control the operation parameters or processes of the extraction. It was found that, the mass of the lemon grass, the flow of the LPG and the interaction of the mass of grass and flow of LPG have significant effect on the quantity of LPG used. The operating pressure and the interaction of the mass of grass and flow of LPG were the only response variables that have significant effect on the quality of the oil obtained.