Rancang Bangun Reaktor Destilasi Berbasis Uap Untuk Produksi Minyak Atsiri Dari Daun Galam

This study aims to design a reactor chamber for the steam distillation process of essential oil from gelam leaves (Melaleuca leucadendra), with a specific focus on the internal design of the reactor—namely, the sieve and steam distribution pathways. The efficiency of the distillation
process is highly influenced by how evenly the steam is distributed throughout the raw material inside the reactor. Therefore, an appropriate reactor design is essential to ensure optimal extraction performance. The method used includes identifying equipment needs, designing the reactor
geometry based on a 50 kg batch capacity, and calculating the volume and density of the raw material. The final design utilizes a modified steel drum with internal components such as a perforated sieve and an efficient inlet-outlet steam system. The effective volume of the reactor is approximately 469,176 cm³. The reactor was tested to evaluate the stability of temperature, pressure, and steam flow. The results indicate that the internal reactor configuration enhances steam distribution efficiency and supports improved essential oil yield.