Determination of the effects of temperature and air velocity on oil yield in drying sage (Salvia officinalis L.)

In this thesis, the effects of different drying temperatures and different air velocities on the essential oil yield of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) were investigated. The sage used in the experiments were harvested fresh and stored at -20 °C after the leaves were separated from their stems. The sage, which was out of the freezer before the experiments, was kept at room temperature. During the experiments, the parameters were measured such as the moisture content of the material, drying rate, separable moisture content, essential oil yield, color values and specific energy consumption. The highest essential oil yield was measured at a constant temperature of 40 ºC, at 1.5 and 1.8 m/s air velocities, respectively. In the experiments carried out at a constant temperature of 45 ºC, the highest essential oil yield was measured at 1.3 m/s and 1.8 m/s air velocities. It was determined that the most efficient study in terms of specific energy consumption was the drying operation performed at 45 ºC and 1 m/s air velocity. It was determined that the second most efficient work was the work done at 40 ºC and 1 m/s conditions.