Propanediols for separation of citrus oil: liquid-liquid equilibria of limonene plus linalool plus (1,2-propanediol or 1,3-propanediol)

To evaluate the use of propanediols for separation of the major components of citrus oil, liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) data for the ternary systems limonene+linalool+ 1,2-propanediol and limonene+linalool+ 1,3-propanediol were determined at 298.15, 308.15 and 318.15 K. The immiscibility region was found to be larger when the OH groups of solvent were at opposite ends of its carbon chain. The experimental data were satisfactorily correlated using the UNIQUAC and NRTL equations, and the binary interaction parameters so obtained are reported. The data were not satisfactorily predicted by the UNIFAC group contribution method. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.