Wiped Film Evaporators (WFE) / Short Path Distillation (SPD)

Wiped film evaporators (WFE), agitated thin film evaporators (TFE), and short path distillation (SPD) technologies are implemented for client applications for heat sensitive and/or viscous applications.  High vacuum applications are realized to the low micron level with our Short Path or Molecular Distillation.  The typical driving forces which can make it appropriate to install our Wiped Film Evaporator or Short Path distillation technologies include applications which are:  heat sensitive, highly viscous, or  materials that foam or foul during processing. 

We implement these Wiped Film Evaporator and Short Path or Molecular Distillation technologies for the pharmaceutical, chemical, food, polymer, nuclear, agricultural, petroleum, nutraceutical industries in applications including those shown below:

Acetic Acid Amines and Amides Antibiotics Biopolymers Capsicum Carotin DMSO Egg Enzymes Esters Fatty Acids Fermentation Broth Fermentation Extracts Molecular Distillation Fish Oil Fruit purees Glycerine or Glycerol Herbicides Juices Lactic Acid Lanolin or Lanoline Lecithin Lubricants Lycopene Milk

Monoglyceride Monomers Nylons Oil rerefining Omega 3 Fatty Acid Organic Intermediates Paint Residues Pesticide Removal Polydextrose Polyethemide Polymers Polyphenol Polysulfone Polyurethane Intermediates Saw Palmetto Extract Solvents Sulfolane Sweeteners Silicone Terpenes Tocopherols Triglycerides Wax API

We manufacture a full program of Wiped Film Evaporators (WFE) and Short Path Distillation (SPD):

•  Vertical

•  Horizontal

• Tapered

•  Nontapered

• Agitated Thin Film with fixed blades

•  Wiped film designs with hinged blades

• Transporting blade designs for extremely viscous products

•  Internal or external condensor designs depending on vacuum level required

• Cocurrent or countercurrent

These wiped film evaporator and short path distillation designs are available with many different rotor configurations that offer specific advantages for different applications.  Sizes of our evaporators, which we incorporate into systems, range from bench scale systems to those with over 80m2 heat transfer surface area.

Testing programs for our wiped film evaporators (WFE) and short path evaporators (SPD) are utilized to  determine the successful application of one of our specific designs for your application.  These tests can be completed in the US, Europe, or Asia depending on the client requirements and ease of attending the test.

Wherever possible we minimize the wiped film evaporator and short path evaporator heat transfer surface area required by incorporating preconcentration stages of nonagitated single or multiple effect evaporation technologies such as falling film evaporators, forced circulation evaporators, or rising film evaporators.

Where the simple wiped film evaporator, thin film evaporator or short path evaporator stage provides insufficient feed component separations but are necessary because of viscosity or fouling characteristics, we provide these wiped film evaporation technologies as reboilers to feed fractional distillation columns.

Our wiped film evaporators are provided as components, component packages, or as complete modular skid mounted systems.

Our wiped film evaporators meet all recognized fabrication codes such as ASME, TUV, etc for the US, China, Europe as well as many other countries around the World.

Our short path evaporation systems are provided with vacuum cold traps and complex vacuum systems capable of attaining vacuum levels down to 1.0 microbar (down to 0.001 mbar).

Metallurgies of choice for our short path evaporators and wiped film evaporators include many stainless steel grades including Duplex as well as exotic materials such as Hastelloy, Monel, Inconel, Nickel.  Carbon Steel as well as glass lined are provided where applicationally correct.  Because some of these metals are not conducive to good heat transfer, we provide the option of our wiped film evaporators produced in explosion bond clad as well as solid wall construction.

Wiped-Film Evaporators (WFE), Agitated Thin-Film Evaporators (TFE), Short-Path Distillation (SPD) Photos