Mobile Distiller Processes Specialty Crops

Mobile Distiller Processes Specialty Crops MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT Miscellaneous 29-3-7 Medicinal plant growers in western Canada found an innovative way to process their specialty crops by building a mobile distiller back in 1999. Since then, the unit has been used by numerous growers to process over 50 different crops to extract essential oils. The portable distiller cost about $50,000 (Can.) to build, funding that was raised in part, by farmer-members of the Alberta Natural Health Agricultural Network (ANHAN), which focuses on building opportunities in natural health products. Alberta government staff also contributed time and expertise. About half of the funding came from northern Alberta forestry companies because a variety of non-timber forest products can be made from branches, needles, leaves, shrubs, and flowers. Some of the field plants being cultivated for essential oil production include, basil, catnip, German chamomile, coriander, dill, lemon balm, yarrow, thyme, French tarragon. Wild plants such as fireweed, goldenrod, pasture sage, and wild bergamot are also being cultivated for their oil. The distiller mounts on a 20-ft. trailer. A 4 hp propane steam boiler heats the plant material chamber which holds about 150 lbs. of woody material or 115 lbs. of fresh field herbs. Operation of the unit requires a potable water supply since both the boiler and condenser need water to force steam through the plant material. Steam vaporizes the essential oils which then go through a water-cooled condenser, to capture the essential oil and hydrosol. Most of the oils are lighter than water, so they collect at the top of a separator and are siphoned off. The remaining water is called a hydrosol. This retains some of the fragrance of the oil, much like herb tea. Depending on the product, distillation times can range from 2 to 8 hrs. It's possible to do a small distillation of as little as 10 lbs. but to maximize the efficiency of the unit, the group encourages people to have at least 100 lbs. ANHAN members can use the mobile distiller for a small fee. One member, Heather Kehr, of Spruce Grove, Alta., is an aroma therapist and medicinal plant grower. In 2003, she decided to go ahead and build her own stationary distiller that's about three times the size of the mobile unit. Besides using it for her own production of essential oils, she custom distills for other producers. Kehr also plans to put on educational demonstrations of the distilling process to agricultural tourists. Kehr points out that small distillers are available on the internet for a couple thousand dollars, so it's possible for almost anyone to produce essential oil for their family and friends, if they want to. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Alberta Natural Health Agricultural Network, 4301 û 50 St., Leduc, Alta. T9E 7H3 (ph 780 986-0262; email: info@anhan.org; website: www.anhan.org) or Stony Plain Multicultural Centre, Heather Kehr, Box 2188, Stony Plain, Alta., Canada T7Z 1X7 (ph 780 963-2777; website: www.albertaherbalessentials.com).

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