industrial rotary evaporator

Types of industrial rotary evaporator

A rotary evaporator is an instrumental piece of equipment in chemistry laboratories. The primary purpose of an industrial rotary evaporator is to separate solvents from mixtures. It does this by applying gentle heat through an oil or water bath combined with reduced atmospheric pressure to vaporize the solvent. The rotary evaporator consists of a rotating vertical flask called a kolonne, heating baths, a condenser, and receiving vessels (often called collection flasks)). The evaporated solvent travels through the condenser and is captured in the collection flask.

The main types of rotary evaporators are:

• Industrial scale rotary evaporators: An industrial rotary evaporator is larger than a standard laboratory rotary evaporator. It is designed to handle greater quantities of liquids, typically between 20 liters to 2000 liters per hour. While a lab-scale rotary evaporator would use a water bath to heat the liquid being evaporated, an industrial rotary evaporator would use an external heating mantle or a hot oil bath for heating at higher temperatures. An industrial rotary evaporator may also have multiple effects (such as 2-5 stages of evaporation/ condensation) due to the need for higher efficiency at greater scales. An industrial evaporator will also have a separator to separate the residue from the distilled liquid, such as a centrifuge, filter, or extractor.
• Wiped Film Evaporators: A wiped film evaporator, also called a wipe film rotary evaporator, uses a rotating vertical thin film to separate a solvent from a solution. This type of rotary evaporator is particularly effective at handling liquid mixtures that contain high boiling points or have high boiling point solvents. Wiped film rotary evaporators can also operate at very high temperatures and under vacuum conditions making them suitable for thermally sensitive compounds. An added advantage is that they can evaporate solvents from solutions quickly due to the thin film formation.
• Falling Film Rotary Evaporator: In a falling film rotary evaporator, liquid is trickled down the inner wall of a cylindrical shell while vapor flows upwards in the opposite direction. A falling film evaporator is ideal for heat-sensitive materials and can process high flow rates.
• Thin Film Rotary Evaporator: Similar to the wiped film rotary evaporator, in a thin film rotary evaporator, the mixture is spread as a thin film over the inner wall of a horizontally or vertically mounted cylinder. The operated cylinder is heated, and the solvent is vaporized. Thin film evaporators have the benefit of continuous operation and high-frequency.

Rotary evaporators are crucial in industries such as pharmaceutical, chemical, food processing, and \environmental. When purchasing an industrial rotary evaporator, buyers should keep in mind that there are many models with different specifications that will suit specific industrial needs. An ideal evaporator will be chosen that offers the right efficiency and separation capacity while also being at an economic cost.

Specification and maintenance of industrial rotary evaporators

• Application：Food industry

The rotary evaporator's applications in the food industry range from wine concentration and extracting flavors to reducing dairy liquid and decolorizing vegetable juice. These applications not only improve the quality of the products but also enhance the shelf life.

• Application: Chemical and pharmaceutical industries

As previously mentioned, one of the primary functions of a rotary evaporator is to separate solvents from solutions or mixtures. This is, in fact, one of the main purposes of its design. In chemical and pharmaceutical laboratories, rotary evaporators are frequently utilized to recover solvents from extraction mixtures or to concentrate chemical reactions and samples. They can also be used to remove solvents from chemical reactions, concentrate solution residues, and purify products by distillation. Additionally, rotary evaporators are employed to recover solvents from chromatography fractions.

• Application: Rotary evaporators for educational purposes

Generally, smaller rotary evaporators are used in higher education institutions such as universities and colleges. More specifically, these rotary evaporators can be found in departments such as chemistry, biology, and environmental science. They can also be used in schools of engineering and food science, among others. The main purpose of these smaller rotary evaporators is to teach students theoretical knowledge as well as experimental techniques and practical skills.

Proper maintenance of rotary evaporator equipment is crucial for its longevity and optimal performance. Regular checks should be done to ensure all components are intact, especially the glassware which is prone to breakage. Cleaning the evaporator after each use with appropriate solvents and ensuring there are no residues is important. Both water and vacuum pumps need to be kept clean and free of rust, which can be achieved by using distilled or deionized water and regularly maintaining the oil-vacuum pumps. Suction hoses and tubing should be inspected periodically for cracks or leaks and replaced when necessary. The rotary evaporator's moving parts, such as the gears and bearings, should be lubricated from time to time to avoid any jamming or friction. Additionally, avoid subjecting the equipment to extreme temperatures or leaving it under the sun for prolonged periods.

Application Scenarios of Industrial Rotary Evaporators

A rotary evaporator is a common device used in laboratories to separate fluids through vaporization. This includes liquids such as solvents followed by the collection of the resultant vapor. Rotary evaporators are mostly used in chemical laboratories. Below are some application scenarios of an industrial rotary evaporator.

• Chemical industry

  In the chemical industry, an industrial rotary evaporator can concentrate chemical solutions and separate solvents from chemical compounds through distillation. This can also involve recycling solvents to reduce production costs and environmental impact.

• Food and beverage industry

  Rotary evaporators are widely used in the food and beverage industry. For instance, they can be used in winemaking to concentrate flavors by removing excess water from wines and also extract natural flavors and fragrances from food materials.

• Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industry

  Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industries can make use of rotary evaporators for tasks such as the concentration of solutions and also the purification of compounds by carrying out rotary evaporation distillation.

• Petrochemical industry

  In the petrochemical industry, an industrial rotary evaporator can carry out solvent recovery from petrochemical processes. It could also be used to concentrate raw materials derived from petrochemicals.

• Cosmetics industry

  In the cosmetics industry, an industrial rotary evaporator can be used to carry out the concentration of active ingredients and also carry out the extraction of natural substances such as essential oils and plant extracts.

• Environmental protection and waste treatment

  Industrial rotary evaporators can be used in the environmental protection and waste treatment industry by carrying out solvent recovery from waste streams and also concentrating pollutants for further analysis and treatment.

How to Choose Industrial Rotary Evaporators

Selecting the right industrial rotary evaporator for specific needs involves a lot of meticulousness. Critical factors like application needs, size and capacity, solvent composition, temperature control, vacuum system, and pressure are some of the things to consider when choosing.

When choosing an industrial rotary evaporator, buyers need to consider their application needs. This is quite broad, as it could range from the industry used to preferred rotary evaporator specifications. They could also consider previously used rotary evaporators. The recondite applications usually require precise specifications, so it makes sense to consider what the business previously used.

Size and capacity are other factors to consider when choosing an industrial rotary evaporator. Generally, industrial rotary evaporators come in various sizes and capacities. They range from small to larger rotary evaporators with capacities of around 30 liters. Even more, they can go up to 150 liters for larger rotary evaporators.

A rotary evaporator is designed to separate a particular type of solvent. This means that its features and specifications are best suited for a certain kind of solvent. The solvent composition needs to be assessed when selecting a rotary evaporator, as some rotary evaporators function better with certain solvents.

Temperature control is another factor to consider. An industrial rotary evaporator's ability to accurately control and maintain the temperature of the bath (heating source) is key to achieving desired results. Some models offer digital controls, while others have analog controls.

The vacuum system of an industrial rotary evaporator is integral to its functionality. Buyers can choose from various options, such as a water aspirator, oil-sealed rotary vane pump, diaphragm pump, or a built-in pump. Each type will have its benefits for the kind of scenario or space one is working with.

Industrial rotary evaporator FAQ

Q1: What is the difference between a rotary evaporator and a regular evaporator?

A1: An rotary evaporator uses rotary motion and reduced pressure to enhance evaporation. A regular evaporator relies on heat or direct energy sources to facilitate evaporation.

Q2: Can liquids be directly poured into an evaporator?

A2: No, liquids should not be directly poured into the rotary evaporator flask. They should be transferred using an adapter or a dropping funnel to avoid splashes and contamination.

Q3: How does a rotary evaporator prevent bumping?

A1: Rotary evaporators are designed with features that prevent bumping. They have a gradual heating system that allows for smooth boiling, preventing the sudden eruption of liquid.