The provided diagram illustrates the industrial distillation process used to extract essential oils for perfume production. Overall, the procedure involves a series of interconnected stages, beginning with the generation of steam and concluding with the separation of the final aromatic products.
In the initial phase, water in a boiler is heated by a fire, producing steam. This steam is directed into a secondary chamber containing aromatic plants. As the steam passes through the plant material, it absorbs the volatile compounds, resulting in a mixture of steam and oil vapor. This gaseous mixture then travels through a condenser, which is cooled by an external supply of cold water. As the vapor cools, it transitions back into a liquid state, releasing hot water as a byproduct.
The resulting liquid, which consists of a mixture of water and essential oil, is then transferred into a separator. Within this vessel, the two substances are divided based on their properties. The essential oil, being distinct, is collected at the top, while the remaining liquid, known as hydrolat or aromatic water, is discharged from the system. This systematic approach ensures the efficient isolation of fragrant oils from raw botanical sources.