Project Abstract

Abstract
Steam distillation is a widely used technique for the extraction of essential oils and other volatile compounds from plant materials. In this project, we aim to construct an open steam distillation setup that can be easily replicated for educational and small-scale production purposes. The design of the distillation apparatus includes a boiler for generating steam, a distillation column for the plant material, and a condenser for the collection of the distillate. The construction of the apparatus involves the selection of materials that are heat-resistant and non-reactive to the steam and essential oils. Borosilicate glass, stainless steel, and silicone are chosen for their durability and compatibility with the distillation process. The boiler is designed to heat water to produce steam, which is then passed through the plant material in the distillation column. The volatile compounds are carried with the steam and condensed in the condenser to yield the essential oil. The open steam distillation setup is equipped with temperature and pressure monitoring devices to ensure safe and efficient operation. The distillation process can be observed through the transparent glass components, allowing for educational purposes and easy troubleshooting if needed. The design also includes easy assembly and disassembly for cleaning and maintenance. The constructed open steam distillation apparatus is tested with various plant materials to extract essential oils, such as lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus. The obtained essential oils are analyzed for their purity and yield to evaluate the efficiency of the distillation setup. The results demonstrate the successful extraction of high-quality essential oils using the open steam distillation method. Overall, the construction of an open steam distillation setup provides a cost-effective and accessible solution for small-scale production of essential oils. The simplicity of the design allows for easy replication and customization based on specific needs. This project contributes to the understanding of steam distillation techniques and provides a practical resource for educational institutions and small producers interested in essential oil extraction.

Project Overview

1.0     INTRODUCTION

Distillation is a separating technique in which two liquids are separated at essentially the same temperature and pressure.  It is also the term used to describe the operation where the vaporization of a liquid mixture yields a vapor phase containing more than one constituents and it is desired to recover one or more of this constituents in a nearly pure state.

            It would probably be beneficial to define the terms that describe the process and related properties.  Let us begin by describing the process by which a substance transformed from the condensed phase to the gas phase.  For liquid, this process is called VAPORIZATION and for a solid it is called SUBMIATIN, both processes requires heat.  All substances regardless whether they are liquids or solids are characterized by a vapor pressure.  The vapor pressure of a pure substance is the pressure exerted by the substance against the external pressure which is usually atmospheric pressure.  Vapor pressure is a measure of the tendency to escape.  When the vapor pressure of a liquid substance reaches the external pressure the substance is observed to Boil.  If the external pressure is atmospheric pressure, the temperature at which a pure substance boils is called the NORMAL BOILING POINT.