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Short Path Distillation


Short path distillation gets its name from the distance in which the vapor stream is condensed. In this case, the evaporator wall generates the vapors as the feed moves by gravity, while being agitated and distributed evenly, down the evaporator wall. The vapor stream travels a "short path" directly to the condenser which is located within the evaporator chamber. Since the vapor stream is immediated condensed, the short path distillation process precludes the vapor from forming vapor pressure. This allows ultimate pressures of 0.001 mbar to be attained. This also allows heat sensitive materials to undergo purification at much lower temperatures preventing degradation. It also allows for very high ambient equivalent temperatures to be achieved. Short path distillation in a plant setting is a continuous process.

All UIC Short Path evaporators are comprised of five main assemblies:

  1. An evaporator body constructed of glass or stainless steel depending upon their size
  2. Roller/Wiper film distribution system
  3. Motor with variable speed drive for the roller wiper system
  4. Internal condenser with side-mounted vacuum connection
  5. Collections trays with drain lines for distillate and residue
short path evaporator

Laboratory and Pilot Plant Modular Systems

All UIC Short Path systems are modular in design and so offer maximum flexibility when choosing the right evaporator, degasser, feed & discharge systems, heating and cooling systems, vacuum pump systems, control systems, and matching heat transfer systems for your unique application. Standard systems are available for laboratory applications such as the KDL1, KDL4, and KDL6 models. Scaled up versions in stainless steel are also available offering true pilot plant capabilities, our KD10 and KD30 systems can generate throughputs up to 30 kg per hour at temperatures up to 350°C and pressures as low as 0.001 mbar.

As needs change, select from a variety of upgrade packages to increase the size of your evaporator, go from a medium to high vacuum system, or add additional stages to your separation.

When a standard unit just won't do, UIC offers a full range of engineering capabilities. Our engineers and technicians have the know-how and experience to assist with everything from the customization of smaller lab units to the completion of large scale production plants.

Laboratory Single Stage Distillation Units
Unit SpecificationsKDL 1KDL 4KDL 6
Nominal Processing Rate (kg/hour)0.01-0.020.04-1.000.04-5.0
Evaporator Surface Area (square meters)0.0180.0430.06
Condenser Surface Area (square meters)0.0070.0220.06
Operating Pressure (square meters)Atmospheric to 0.001 mbar
Length (mm)1,0001,0001,000
Diameter (mm)400500700
System Weight (approximate kg)4560120

lab scale short path distillation stainless steel short path evaporator

Production Systems

For production applications, choose one of eleven standard evaporator sizes from 0.3 to 50 square meters to meet your space, operating power, and production requirements. The photograph below illustrates a KD30 used at the Chemtech facility to facilitate scaling molecular separation to larger commercial scales.

Commercial Single Stage Distillation Units
System Information UofM Short Path System Model Number
KD10KD30KD75KD150KD300 KD600KD1200KD1800KD2400 KD3600KD5000
System Capacitykg/hr10-
25
30-
90
75-
255
150-
450
300-
900
600-
1,800
1,200-
3,600
1,800-
5,400
2,400-
7,200
3,600-
10,800
5,000-
15,000
Evaporator Surfacemˆ2 0.100.300.751.53 6121824 3650
Condenser Surfacemˆ20.14 0.381.2025 10242735 80120
Operating Pressure mbar
Atmospheric pressure to 1 x 10ˆ-3 Absolute
System Lengthmm1,000 1,5002,1002,8003,800 5,2007,0007,5009,000 9,60011,00
Evaporator Diametermm120 160280350500 8001,2001,4001,500 2,0002,200
Approximate Weightkg/hr80 100200500900 1,5006,0009,00012,000 23,00030,000