Short Path & Thin Film Distillation Equipment

Thin film evaporation differentiates plants for thin-film, short-path or molecular distillation. All systems are recommended for separation of volatile from less volatile components, for organic products, which are characterized by thermic instability, high molecular weight or high viscosity. The most important characteristics are pressures of 1 to 0,001 mbar as well as short retention times of the products in the heated evaporator zone to avoid overheating or damage of the product. The plants are made of glass or glass-metal-combination according to the requirements of the products. 

Thin-Film (Wiped Film) Distillation 

Evaporator and condenser are separated components which are connected by nozzles. The vacuum pump is directly connected to the condenser. Using this type of equipment the ultimate pressure is limited to some mbars. The medium retention time of the liquid within the thin-film evaporator is depending on viscosity and throughput. 

Short Path Distillation 

This is a thin-film evaporation under reduced pressure down. In this type of distillation system, the condenser is integrated in the centre of the evaporator. The distance between evaporation surface and condenser is extremely short and pressure losses are eliminated. 

Across International short path distillation system is a bench scale system and designed for distillation of thermally sensitive products under vacuum.  

The evaporation surface consists of a vertical glass cylinder, double mantled and filled with a heating medium which is tempered by a thermostat. 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 center of the glass evaporator, cooled by a cooling thermostat. 

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 aluminum, hard covered with PTFE slide coating. It is available in 3 different versions (to be selected) to accommodate 3 distinct 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 extremely gentle heating of the evaporator is achieved by a heated liquid (oil) from an external circulation thermostat. 

 Thin Film Applications & Industry Use : 

Of late years, the demand for test and pilot plants for gentle distillation has increased in the chemical, pharmaceutical and petrochemical industry. The constantly rising number of new complicated products and the rising world market price for raw materials are responsible for this demand. 

For delicate distillation of thermally sensitive products, we have developed efficient plants laboratory and test operation which are preferably used for the following applications: 

Oil- and fat industry for distillation of mono- and diglycerides, fatty acids and their derivates, fatty alcohols, tall oils, terpentines, waxes 

Chemical industry, ethereal oils and olfactory products, detergents, insecticides, fertilizers, peroxides, metal-organic compounds etc. 

Petrochemical industry, parafin´s, lubricating oils, tar containing products, crude oil residues up to AET 720 °C 

Synthetic fibers industry, softeners, elastomers, polyesters, polymers 

Pharmaceutical industry, antibiotics, ferments, hop-, tobacco-, maw seed- and similar plant extracts effective as drugs, vitamins, hormones 

Food industry, milk products, aroma concentrates, coffee-, tea-, cacao biocatalyst concentrates, proteins and protein substances, fruit-juice, sugar derivates etc. 

Thin film distillation systems, including thin-film (wiped film) distillation, short path distillation, and molecular distillation, offer efficient and versatile solutions for the separation of volatile and less volatile components in organic products. With their ability to handle thermally unstable substances, high molecular weight compounds, and highly viscous materials, these distillation techniques have found widespread applications across various industries. 

Thin film distillation has several uses in sectors such as oil and fat, chemical, petrochemical, synthetic fibers, pharmaceutical, and food. These systems are used to distill chemicals such as fatty acids, terpenes, essential oils, medicinal medicines, fragrance concentrates, and others. 

 Discover Exceptional Thin Film Distillation Kits Crafted by Industry Experts 

 As industries continue to evolve, the demand for gentle distillation methods is expected to rise, making thin film distillation an essential technology for achieving high-quality results and meeting the demands of a dynamic market.  

 Across International thin film distillation products can continuously process large batches of hemp and cannabis oil. They also come with heated gear pumps and an enhanced condenser configuration, creating a more intuitive and efficient distillation machine.  

 Thin Film Distillation systems offer an efficient and affordable solution for the purification of cannabis and hemp oils. By optimizing short path and condenser design Across International has created a system that produces the highest quality Hemp and Cannabis distillates. 

Request a quote to learn more about our thin film distillation equipment for labs.