Effect of microwave power on drying behavior and essential oil yield of microwave dried Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. leaves


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ŞENGÜL B. E., TOSUN E.

Pamukkale Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi, cilt.28, sa.7, ss.963-970, 2022 (Hakemli Dergi) identifier

Özet

In this study, the aim was to microwave dry Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. leaves, while evaluating the role of microwave power regarding drying behavior, drying rate, drying time, drying kinetics, moisture diffusivity, energy consumption and essential oil yield. The leaves were dried by microwave at four different power levels (180, 360, 600 and 720 W). The results found that increasing the increment power levels decreased the time for drying and increased the drying rate. To fit the experimental data, nine widely used thin layer drying kinetics models were used. The analysis of the drying curves indicated that the Page model was the most appropriate. There was a significant difference in moisture diffusivity between 2.36×10-11 and 11.45×10-11m2/s. Increasing microwave power was led to an increase in moisture diffusivity. In accordance with the Arrhenius equation, a value of 7.4225 W/g was determined for the activation energy. In terms of specific energy consumption, the results ranged from 8.56 to 9.93 kWh/kg. When leaves were dried with a microwave power of 180 W, the maximum yield of essential oil was obtained.