# The Flow Rate of the Condenser Cooling Water in the Distillation Process Increases the Quality and Quantity of Patchouli Oil

## TL;DR

Increasing condenser cooling water flow improves both the quality and amount of patchouli oil produced in Indonesia.

## Contribution

The study identifies an optimal condenser water flow rate of 1.74 L/min that maximizes patchouli oil yield and quality.

## Key findings

- A condenser water flow rate of 1.74 L/min with 5 days drying time yielded the highest patchouli oil yield of 1.4%.
- Three main compounds—alpha-guaiene, delta-guaiene, and patchouli alcohol—were consistently detected in all treatments.
- Higher condenser water discharge rates improved both yield and recovery of patchouli oil.

## Abstract

Indonesia is an important essential oil-exporting country globally, where 40 types of essential oils have been traded on the international market and are products of Indonesia. However, the quality and quantity of patchouli oil produced in Indonesia are still low. Most essential oil processing units use simple or traditional technology and generally have limited production capacity. This study aimed to obtain the optimum water flow rate in a condenser system for patchouli oil production in Maluku, Indonesia. Patchouli oil extraction from fresh patchouli leaves and twigs was carried out by increasing the condenser water discharge rate. Patchouli oil extraction with a condenser cooling water discharge treatment of 1.74 L/min and drying time for 5 days produced the highest patchouli oil yield of 1.4%. The greater the condenser water discharge rate, the better the yield and accumulation of patchouli oil recovery obtained. In addition, based on the results of the analysis of the composition of patchouli oil compounds with GCMS, it can be seen that 13 compounds can be detected in patchouli oil. The three main components of patchouli oil in all condenser cooling water treatments were alpha-guaiene, delta-guaiene, and patchouli alcohol. Considering the results of all parameters mentioned above, the treatment of the condenser cooling water discharge of 1.74 L/min and drying time for 5 days increases the quality and quantity of patchouli oil.