Application note: Increase Filtration Capacity and Reduce Process Time in Citrus Oil De-waxing Applications

Essential oils extracted from orange, lemon, lime, tangerine, grapefruit and other citrus fruits are important raw materials for multiple uses of growing commercial importance.

They are processed further into natural flavoring materials for the food and beverage industry, and have shown promise in additional applications as preservatives or antioxidant agents. Their byproducts are also used in commercial cleaners, aromatic and personal care products, medicinal preparations and more.

Most citrus essential oils are extracted by cold-pressing the rinds of the citrus fruits. Naturallyoccurring waxes which originate in the citrus peels are solubilized during extraction and have a negative impact on the quality of the citrus oil, causing cloudiness upon precipitation. Various processors of citrus oils employ a variety of methods to separate the wax solids, including centrifugation, tank settling, diatomaceous earth (DE, Kieselguhr) filtration, and depth filtration with cartridges, lenticular filters or filter sheets. These methods pose some challenges.