Pemisahan Sitronelal dari Fraksi Kaya Sitronelol dan Geraniol Minyak Sereh Wangi menggunakan Distilasi Molekuler

Abstract

The aim of this research is to determine the suitable condition of Short Path Distillation (SPD) which can increase the purity of citronellol and geraniol rich fraction by separating the citronellal component and to know the potential yield of SPD. The input material for the process was the citronellol and geraniol rich fraction of Java citronella oil obtained by vacuum distillation. The equipment used was Short Path Distillation KDL 1 unit type falling film evaporator. Distillation process conducted by stepwise increasing of distillation temperature. Operation condition of SPD is managed by fix condition including range of distillation temperature from 58ºC to 62ºC, pressure 10-3 mbar, condenser temperature 10ºC, flow rate 1-2 drop per second, rotor speed 200 rpm. Process parameter was distillation temperature increase of 1ºC and 2ºC in every run as treatment. Citronellal, citronellol, and geraniol content was analyzed using Gas Cromatography and evaluated according to physicochemical properties such as : density, refractive index, and color. The experiments result in an increase of purity level of citronellol and geraniol rich fraction from 41,44% to 60%. The process yield was 54.97%, achieved by stepwise increasing of distillation temperature of 2ºC. It physicochemical properties as follow : density 0.890, refractive index 1.469, and amber wich is according to SNI-06-3953. Meanwhile, by product was obtained has citronellal content 25,87% and it yield was 35.11%.