OPTIMASI PEMISAHAN MINYAK ATSIRI DARI TANAMAN NILAM (Pogostemon cablin benth) DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE PENYULINGAN UAP, UDARA PANAS DAN PERPADUAN ANTARA UAP DAN UDARA PANAS

Optimization of Essential Oil Separation From Patchouli Plant (Pogostemon Cablin Benth) Using Steam Distillation Method, Hot Air and Combination Between Steam and Hot Air have been conducted. Technological innovation is needed by the community especially in the extraction process. The extraction results are so low and the time required is very long and large production costs cause people reluctant to process essential oil plants. The addition of hot air will increase the pressure inside the boiler material which is predicted to increase the yield of essential oils. The production of hot air is much cheaper when compared to the production of water vapor because the number of calories to boil water into steam is much greater than the air. Based on the results of the research, it is found that the increase of essential oil is reviewed to some steam pressure. Steam Distillation With Gradual Pressure has a yield of 1.6465% with refining time of 298.67 minutes. Steam distillation with 2 sources of steam has a yield of 1.8606% with time 300 minutes. Steam and Heat Alternating Heating has a yield of 2.2929% and a refining time of 251 minutes, Steam Distillation and (Air + Water) Alternative Heat has a yield of 2.3200% with a refining time of 315 minutes. Drying of hot air into the boiler aims to increase the pressure on the extraction process of patchouli oil by steam distillation has been shown to increase the yield of patchouli oil. Increase in yield 30-50% compared with no hot air drainage. The highest results were obtained from water vapor and water (hot and water) experiments performed alternately with gradual pressure, but the required distillation time was 315 minutes. If done with hot air without water it will make the oil black and charred.