COMERG Journal

Blog

Insights on low-pressure botanical extraction

6″ SS Wiped Film Distillation System

A stainless-steel short-path wiped film system that distills and purifies heat-sensitive botanical fractions in seconds under deep vacuum, with no thermal damage.

Description

The 6″ SS Wiped Film Distillation System is a stainless-steel short-path still for purifying heat-sensitive botanical fractions. A heated rotor spreads the feed into a thin film on the vessel wall, so material evaporates in seconds under deep vacuum and condenses on an internal condenser. The result is a clean, high-clarity distillate with almost no thermal exposure, and stainless steel moves more than double the volume of a comparable glass unit.

By the numbers

Key figures

0.25 m²Effective evaporation area
≤ 1.0 PaUltimate vacuum
225 °CMax evaporator temp
2-5 L/hProcessing flow
How it works

Thin film, seconds of heat

Feed enters the top of the heated cylinder and a low-speed wiper spreads it into a thin, even film on the inner wall. Under deep vacuum the volatile fraction flashes off almost immediately and condenses on a two-stage internal condenser with a cold trap, while the heavier residue runs down and out through a ball valve.

Because the material is exposed to heat for only seconds rather than the long residence time of a pot still, delicate, heat-sensitive compounds survive the process intact. The short path between evaporator and condenser keeps the operating pressure low, so distillation happens at the lowest possible temperature.

Why thin film

Thin film vs a conventional still

Wiped thin film

Heat exposureSeconds
TemperatureLow, under vacuum
OperationContinuous feed
Heat-sensitive activesPreserved
Throughput2× of glass

Conventional pot still

Heat exposureLong residence
TemperatureHigher, sustained
OperationBatch
Heat-sensitive activesOften degraded
ThroughputLower
Specifications

Technical specifications

Evaporator

Evaporation area0.25 m²
Barrel diameter150 mm
Max temperature225 °C
Material304 SS, food-grade polished
SealingPTFE flat seals
SensorsPt 100
Jacket / feed100 L / manual

Vacuum

Ultimate vacuum≤ 1.0 Pa
PumpDual-stage
Ultimate pressure1 × 10⁻³ mbar

Condenser

Type2-stage + cold trap
Temperature-20 °C
Material304 SS
PressureNone

Drive & flow

Motor power120 W
Max rotor speed300 RPM
Processing flow2.0-5.0 L/h
DischargeBall valve
Feed5 L manual

Thermal circulation

Heat/cold exchanger-20 to 150 °C, 17 L
Heat circulator+20 to 220 °C
Chiller6 L, -20 °C, 22 L/min

Dimensions & control

Size (H×L×W)2110 × 2210 × 660 mm
Weight≈ 549 kg (1210 lb)
Power220 V / 60 Hz, 1-phase
Floor areamin 20 m²
ControlPLC
Applications

Where it’s used

DistillationPerfumeryCosmeticsNutraceuticalsPhytopharmaQuality Control
Documentation

Specifications

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

A short-path technique where the feed is spread into a thin film on a heated wall and evaporated in seconds under vacuum, then condensed nearby. It purifies heat-sensitive material with minimal thermal exposure.

A pot still holds material at heat for a long time, which degrades delicate compounds. Thin film exposes it for only seconds, so the distillate stays cleaner and higher quality.

Roughly 2.0 to 5.0 litres per hour, fed in 5 L manual batches, with continuous discharge through a ball valve.

The evaporator runs up to 225 °C and the system pulls down to an ultimate vacuum of 1.0 Pa, with a dual-stage pump reaching 1 × 10⁻³ mbar.

304 stainless steel with a food-grade polished interior, PTFE flat seals and Pt100 sensors, controlled by a PLC.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “6″ SS Wiped Film Distillation System”

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *