Microwave assisted extraction of essential oils from plant biomass

A method,

• wherein the method obtains an extract from plant biomass,
• wherein the extract is an essential oil,
• wherein the method comprises the steps of:
• a. obtaining the plant biomass;
• b. placing the plant biomass onto a conveyor belt, having a length, and introducing the plant biomass into a vessel having a length, via the conveyor belt,
• wherein the plant biomass is introduced into the vessel by moving the conveyer belt at a first velocity,
• wherein the plant biomass is introduced into the vessel at a rate;
• and
• wherein the temperature of the inside of the vessel is from 40 to 100 degrees Celsius;
• c. subjecting the plant biomass to microwave energy, of a first intensity, for a time sufficient to heat the plant biomass to a temperature to vaporize water within the plant biomass, thereby producing a distillate, wherein the first intensity of the microwave energy is from 0.2 KWH/Kg biomass to 0.6 KWH/Kg biomass, wherein the temperature of the inside of the vessel is maintained between 40 and 100 degrees Celsius;
• and
• d. collecting the distillate.