A Simple, Convenient, Portable Mini Distillation Apparatus for The Production of Essential Oils
Details of present/Existing Technology. Shortfall / Technological gaps in the existing technology
A laboratory equipment used for distillation of essential oils is called glass Clevenger apparatus attached with a glass flask for charging the plant material along with water in 1:2 ratio. The whole system is put on a heating mantle for distillation of essential oils. There is no provision of steam distillation in this apparatus. It can not distill the plant material at reduced nor at higher atmospheric pressure.
The major technological gaps of the apparatus is that it was designed to distill the plant material by water distillation at normal atmospheric pressure. Certain aromatic plants are exclusively distilled by steam distillation than water distillation, reason being some of volatile constituents get hydrolysed due to presence of water in the vessel. The apparatus works neither on the principle of steam distillation nor on water & steam distillation technique. Moreover, this apparatus is generally restricted to use in laboratories only for the essential oil estimation. This system is heated only with the help of electric mantle. The long vertical glass tube and condenser are made up of glass which require careful handling and the heating mode is only by electricity.
Approach adopted in new technology to evade technological gap in the exiting one
Essential oil distillation units involve a high capital investment which small growers generally can not afford at the beginning. Our indigenously designed low cost apparatus has broken the barriers of high capital investment in experimenting the new agricultural production system at initial small scale. This apparatus is designed by our Institute to meet the needs of small growers, educational institutes and entrepreneurs in the field of aromatherapy who wish to start this venture at a small scale and to learn art, skill and science of essential oil production
Advantages
- The unit is useful for the distillation of essential oils and perfumed water from a number of aromatic plants available in our surroundings such as basil, kari patta, ajowain, eucalyptus, mints, citrus peels, muskbala, bachh, wild marigold and cultivated aromatic crops like
- Damask rose, lavender, marigold and chamomile.
- The plant material can be distilled at atmospheric pressure and also at higher or lower pressures with water distillation, steam distillation and water and steam distillation.
- The unit is portable and can be used at the field sites where water and power sources are available and can also run on agrowaste.
- It is useful in household cottage industry for marginal farmers and housewives.
- It can be used for demonstration, training and educational purpose in R&D and educational institutes.
- It can create employment and income generation for economically backward classes.
- The qualitative and quantitative yields of essential oils are better than glass Clevenger type apparatus.
- The unit is inexpensive, sturdy and is a versatile design.
- The unit can be heated with agro waste on furnace or on LPG burner.
Brief Description
The system is made of ss material except the graduated glass tube and teflon seals. different modes of heating are possible. A wide variety of essential oils can be distilled. Small quantities (1 kg) of material can be processed. oil recovery is better than that of Clevenger apparatus. It is more stable and durable apparatus than the glass distillation unit and can be easily taken to field sites. This apparatus is available in 25 litre (4-5 kg material capacity) and 50 litre (8-10 kg material) volume capacity.
Applications
Cosmetics and Consumer/Household items/Aromatherapy Industrial and Domestic Machinery & Products.
The unit is useful for mini scale distillation of essential oils used in aromatherapy. It is also useful for marginal farmers who can produce oils in small scale.
Status of Development
Design licensed to a private party. Unit is currently used for distillation of essential oils.
Technology Transfer Assistance Offered
Know-how
For further information please contact
Director
Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology
Post Box No.6 Palampur
Himachal Pradesh - 176 061
India
