Biomass distillation for essential oil extraction: A techno-economic assessment

Abstract

Energy plays a critical role in supporting sustainable development, and today, conserving energy has gained heightened importance across industries. The overuse of fossil fuels, which has driven rapid industrialization and economic growth, is now recognized as a major contributor to environmental issues such as climate change, air pollution, and ecosystem degradation. These challenges have become some of the most pressing concerns worldwide, highlighting the urgent need to transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources. This study specifically examines the use of biomass energy for essential oil extraction, assessing its economic feasibility. Results indicate a benefit-cost ratio of 1.28 and a payback period of 23 months, confirming that a biomass distillation system is a cost-effective approach for essential oil extraction.