Superheated Steam Generation Development Using Fuel Biomass at Patchouli Oil Refining Process

Abstract

Patchouli distillation using process direct steam contact has been done by patchouli community in Indonesia has not been enough to produce the maximum rendement and quality. Rendement with conventional refining raw materials normal conditions ranged from 2-2.5% to the value of Patchouly Alcohol (PA) 30% ~ 32%. The rendement is influenced also by the condition of the raw material. The rendement can be improved through the engineering process. It is assumed that the low rendement is caused by the quality of steam distillation that is at the level of saturation or a mixture so that the energy required for the release of oil bonds in the raw material is not reached maximum. This research purposes to develop a process using superheated steam to improve the quality of steam distillation in an effort to drive the rendement using biomasssa as fuel. This research has produced a distillation unit with a capacity of 20kg of raw material / batch consisting of boilers with steam drum and superheater facilities, raw material boiler, condenser and oil separator. Distillation test results showed that an increase in the level of the state of the steam out of a boiler into a saturated state with the superheated steam. Steady state in the steam drum and superheater value of each 1,5bar/112oC; bar/140oC and produce to 20kg of raw material obtained under normal conditions rendement 3.1% with 5.5 hour time process