REKAYASA ALAT DISTILASI GELOMBANG MIKRO UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KADAR PATCHOULI ALKOHOL PADA MINYAK NILAM (Distilation Microwave Tools to Increase Patchouli Alcohol Content in Patchouli Oil)

Abstract

Vacuum distillation is called low-pressure distillation. Distillation method is recommended to prevent the decomposition of organic compounds. Distillation is mainly used for various samples among boiling points above 1500C. The principle of heating using microwaves is based on a direct collision with the polar material or solvent and it is controlled by two phenomenon, ionic conduction and dipole rotation. In most cases, these two phenomena are run simultaneously. Microwave vacuum distillation is the separation of a mixture based on boiling points divergence by using microwave heating where heating is more efficient than the usual heating. Patchouli plant (Pogostemon cablin Benth) is one of important plants producing essential oil, known as the Patchouly Oil. Patchouli oil along with 14 other types of essential oil is an export commodity producing foreign exchange. This patchouli oil refining experiment intend to raise Patchouli Alcohol level by the use of microwave vacuum distillation technology. While the analyses include: analysis of density, viscosity analysis, analysis of acid number, and Patchouli Alcohol content analysis using Gas Chromatography. From 6 experiments using different refining time, the Patchouli Alcohol level gained is on average of 26.6% of the linear regression y = 1.424x+17.34 and R²=0942.