DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF A COMPRESSOR-BASED PATCHOULI OIL DISTILLATION UNIT

Sjahril Botutihe; Asriani   Laboko; Evi  Sunarti Antu

doi:10.24961/j.tek.ind.pert.2026.36.2.149

Authors

Sjahril Botutihe Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ichsan Gorontalo University
Asriani Laboko Department of Agricultural Product Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ichsan Gorontalo University
Evi Sunarti Antu )Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Ichsan Gorontalo University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24961/j.tek.ind.pert.2026.36.2.149

Abstract

This study designs a compressor-based patchouli distillation unit and assesses its performance. The unit extracts patchouli essential oil from Pogostemon cablin Benth plants grown in Bone Bolango Regency. The distillation methods currently in use suffer from a lack of energy efficiency, long processing times, and poor oil quality. These result from uneven steam pressure and varying steam temperature. This study designs the aforementioned unit and tests its performance as a function of temperature, steam pressure, distillation time, oil yield, and total energy used. The system consists of a furnace, boiler, a pipeline for steam, a compressor, and a condenser. This system outperforms a unit with no compressor. The steam pressure and temperature from a compressor increase by 1.5 bar and 95°C to 2.5 bar and 110°C, respectively, and a reduction in distillation time occurs, from 10 to 6 hours. A further increase in oil yield occurs, from 2.5 to 3.8 kg. The quality and patchouli alcohol (PA) content of the oil improves, from 30 to 35%, respectively. Also, the oil yield improves, from 4.2 to 6.3%, and the distillation rate, energy efficiency, and specific energy consumption also improve. The compressor-based distillation unit is deemed to be the most productive and energy efficient of all studied systems.

Keywords:
design and development, energy efficiency, compressor, Patchouli oil, distillation