Short Path Lab Scale Thin Film Evaporator

Turn-key short path distillation system for universal application in laboratories.

The short path distillation system is a bench scale system and designed for distillation of thermally sensitive products under vacuum. As a result all obtained values and data of this pilot operation can be used also for larger systems.
The system is used for thermally instable organic products of, high molecular weight and/or high viscosity at operating temperatures and depending on the type of rotating wiper elements.

The evaporation surface consists of a vertical glass cylinder, double mantled and filled with a heating medium (thermal oil) which is tempered by a thermostat. The thermal oil heated version can operate up to 200°C evaporator temperature. This is the limit for the thermal oil in open circulation systems. For higher temperatures the electrical heater version (option 1) is recommended, which can be used up to 450°C. The electrical version is also able to operate in the lower range (20-200°C), but the thermal oil version has a more uniform temperature which is useful for high sensitive products (pharmaceutic, aromatics, etc.).

The product is being spread to a thin film on the inner surface of the evaporator by means of rotating wiper elements, available in glass and PTFE. These wipers are being pressed to the inner wall of the surface by centrifugal forces where they produce a thin film with a continuous distribution of the liquid film. The condenser is vertically arranged in the centre of the glass evaporator, heated by means of a thermostat or alternatively by an electrical heating mantle, depending on the operating temperature to be achieved.

For the optimization of the evaporation process the type of wipers as well as the speed of the rotation can be adjusted to the viscosity of the product to be evaporated. The system includes a controller for vacuum, temperature, power supply for vacuum pump, thermostat and speed of wiper motor.

The rotating wiper basket is made of aluminium, hard covered with PTFE slide coating. It is available in 3 different versions (to be selected) to accommodate 3 different types of wiper elements:

- Type a: PTFE wipers and glass wipers which can be used alternatively.
These wiper elements are being moved by centrifugal forces
- Type b: PTFE wipers with spiral gearing
- Type c: PTFE wipers as rolls

The lines are double mantled for tempering with an optionally quoted thermostat
The cleaning of the evaporator is very easy due to an easy removable fastener.
The SP 200 is offered as a turn-key system including complete vacuum accessories.
A mobile rack to accommodate the system as well as accessories is offered optionally.


The system consists of:

1 mounting frame with all necessary holders and fastenings, and integrated vacuum control device VCD for display and control of the continuously adjustable preset and digital indication of the actual pressure

1 graduated feed vessel, glass, volume 500 ml, double mantled for heating or cooling with nozzle for degassing

1 thin film-short path evaporator, made of glass, 0.02 m2, with internal condenser, 2 nozzles for alternative connection of vacuum accessories and double mantle for thermal oil heating

1 wiper driver motor with adjustable speed up to 2000 rpm, driving shaft with flexible coupling and vacuum-tight lead through, made of stainless steel 1.4571 (316TI), other material upon request

1 wiper basket, made of stainless steel, wiper type a, b or c to be selected

1 thermostat for operating the short path evaporator, heating capacity 2 kW, operation temp. max. 200°C, with circulation pump and isolated tubes. With digital PID controller and high temperature tubes

1 distillate final receiver, 500 ml

1 double mantled residue final receiver, 500 ml

1 set of sealings made of EPDM

1 set of vacuum accessories, consisting of:
-vacuum pump 10 m3/h
-cold trap, double mantled with condensate trap
-vacuum sensor (100Torr),
-vacuum control and magnetic valve