Three Methods Of Distillation

Characteristics Of Different Distillation

There are three forms of distillation; Simple distillation, steam distillation, and continuous steam distillation. There are often certain pre-processing that need to be applied with various aromatic plants before distillation extraction. If it is a grass plant or oil extraction parts are flowers, leaves, buds, flower spikes, etc., generally can be directly loaded into the distiller for processing, but if the oil extraction parts are roots and stems, etc., Then generally must be washed, sun-dried or shade dried, crushed and other steps, and even after dilute acid soaking and alkali neutralization, in addition, some aromatic plants need to be fermented first.

Simple Distillation

The raw material is placed directly into the distillation pot, which is filled with water to soak through. The components in a mixture are vaporized by the application of heat and then immediately cooled by the action of cold water in a condenser.

Advantages:

• Faster extraction
• For the plant in the aromatic substances are not easily distilled, it helps to speed up distillation.

Drawbacks:

(Applied for extracting plant with thick cell walls or inexpensive) 

Steam Distillation

It is the process involving the conversion of a liquid into steam, Highly volatile plant aromatic ingredients are extracted by pressurized steam, As the steam passes through a cooling coil, it condenses back into a liquid—a combination of water (hydrosol) and essential oil.

Advantages:

• Good quality extracted of aromatic substances
• For aromatic substances are easily distilled, it helps to speed up distillation

Drawbacks:

• A little waste of aromatic substances

(Applied for extracting plant with thin cell walls. For example: Flowers with thicker petals)

Continues Steam Distillation

The distillation process is a continuous flow of distillate is collected as output. The raw material may be continuously fed into the still at one point or reloaded without interrupting the collection of distillate. Steam enters from one pot to another pot which is filled with plants, aromatic ingredients are extracted by pressurized steam, As the steam passes through a cooling coil, it condenses back into a liquid—a combination of water (hydrosol) and essential oil.

Advantages:

• The best distillation in extracting aromatic substances
• The faster distillation for aromatic substances are easily distilled
• The mainstream distillation method of essential oils extraction
• Minimal waste of aromatic substances

Drawbacks:

• Not for family use. It's complicated with an extra container for produce.

• It takes a long time for the plant which the aromatic substances are not easily distilled