Dehydrating Mustard Extract

The goal of the project is to get an aqueous mustard extract solution at least 50% dry using a flash evaporator and shorten the overall drying time for the mustard extract. All while still being able to have a shelf-stable, shippable powder.

=Problem Definition=

Background
Mustard plants produce value oils and chemicals that can be processed into fuel and glucosinolates, respectively. Glucosinolates show promise of being used as biopesticides. Dr. Popova’s lab currently uses mustard meal after the oil has been pressed out to extract the glucosinolates. However the drying time takes three days for a 10-gallon batch, this is a bottleneck in the entire process.

Deliverables
Design an evaporation system that reduces the water content in the mustard seed extract by half.

Specifications

 * 1) Reduce water content in the mustard seed extract by half.
 * 2) Reduce the current drying time by half.
 * 3) No large drop in glucosinolates yield due to thermal degradation.
 * 4) No use of chemicals that could prevent the extract from being used in organic farming.
 * 5) The system can handle up to 10 gallons of mustard seed extract per day.

=Design Considerations=


 * This initial design was given to us by Dr. Popova, our client. This influenced our current design.




 * Our design consideration from late Fall 2020 to early Spring 2021. It was adjusted as more testing was being done.




 * We had planned to use this setup to test out a couple of pumps. However, we decided to use a pressure sprayer so we could better control the pressure that is being used.

=Project Learning=

=Final Design=

For our final design, we added copper piping and brass connectors and nozzle to our pressure sprayer. We also added an iron funnel at the bottom of our drum. We used 8020 for our frame. We placed to heat guns in a way that they would create a vortex inside the drum to help create a mist with the extract as it was being sprayed in.

After spraying the water into the drum three times, we got about 52% volume reduction, or 52% less water content that what we started with. Therefore, our requirement of 50% water reduction water met.

=Validation=

=Team Members=

=Additional Documentation=

Project Schedule



Meeting Minutes



Presentations



Client Interview