Experimental study and process modeling of vacuum batch rectification column for cinnamon essential oil fractionation

Cinnamon oil contains several economically valuable compounds, including trans-cinnamaldehyde, benzaldehyde, and coumarin. Separating more components boosts profitability and encourages their further use. However, there is a lack of research on the temperature and pressure conditions required for separating high-purity products. This study developed and validated a batch rectification column model using experimental data. The model identified component purity for each product segment based on temperature and was scaled up to 1000 kg/batch to determine optimal conditions. In this study, four product segments were fractionated experimentally, with the trans-cinnamaldehyde segment achieving a purity of 96.31 wt%. The calculated results aligned with the experimental data on operating temperatures and product compositions. The optimal conditions for separating five product segments with high purity were identified through the process model. It was determined that benzaldehyde with a concentration of 99 wt% was separated at 124°C under a pressure of 0.2 atm. Salicylicaldehyde with a composition of 99 wt% was obtained at 141°C. Trans-cinnamaldehyde with a purity of 99 wt% was rectified at 190.5°C, and methoxy cinnamaldehyde with a concentration of 99 % was obtained at 220°C. At optimal conditions, Benzaldehyde, Trans-Cinnamaldehyde, and Methoxy cinnamaldehyde have the purity all over 99 % with the recovery of 90 %, 86 %, and 78 %, respectively. This research can apply for the design, operation, and optimization of essential oil rectification systems for cinnamon and other oils, such as anise and pine.