Short-path distillation equipment is a specialized distillation technology designed for the separation and purification of heat-sensitive, high-boiling liquid mixtures. By operating in a high-vacuum environment, it significantly reduces the boiling point of liquids, thereby minimizing thermal stress and decomposition risks during material processing. It is particularly suitable for separating temperature-sensitive substances or those with extremely high boiling points.

 

 

The core principle of short-path distillation equipment involves reducing the boiling point of liquids using a high-vacuum environment and achieving separation through efficient heat transfer and rapid condensation. Its internal structure typically includes three key components: a heating cylinder, a wiper system, and a built-in condenser:  

- High-Vacuum Environment: A specially designed vacuum system creates an extremely low-pressure environment, allowing liquids to evaporate at temperatures far below their normal boiling points and preventing material decomposition due to high temperatures.  

- Wiper System: The internal wiper device evenly distributes the liquid to be processed on the inner wall of the heating cylinder, forming an extremely thin liquid film that significantly increases heat transfer area and enhances evaporation efficiency.  

- Built-in Condensation: Vaporized components travel a very short distance (usually only a few centimeters) to reach the built-in condenser, where they quickly condense into liquid, enabling efficient separation of target components from impurities.  

 

 

Compared to traditional distillation technologies, short-path distillation equipment offers the following distinct advantages:  

1. Low-Temperature Gentle Processing: In a high-vacuum environment, materials can be separated at low temperatures, making it especially suitable for heat-sensitive substances (e.g., oxidizable or decomposable components).  

2. Short Residence Time: Materials spend minimal time inside the equipment, reducing the risk of degradation or deterioration caused by prolonged heating.  

3. Efficient Heat Transfer Design: The wiper system ensures a thin, uniform liquid film, resulting in much higher heat transfer efficiency than traditional distillation, improving separation speed and purity.  

4. Adaptability to High-Viscosity Materials: Capable of handling highly viscous liquid mixtures, expanding application range.  

5. Flexible Material Selection: Depending on material characteristics, equipment can be constructed from glass, stainless steel, or special materials to meet corrosion resistance and cleanliness requirements for different scenarios.  

 

 

Leveraging its unique separation advantages, short-path distillation equipment is widely used across multiple industries:  

- Oil and Food Industry: Used for vegetable oil refining (e.g., deacidification, deodorization), animal fat purification, and preserving natural properties of food components.  

- Pharmaceutical and Fine Chemicals: Purification of pharmaceutical intermediates, active ingredients, or separation of high-purity chemicals to ensure product quality and safety.  

- Petrochemical Industry: Separation of high-boiling components in petroleum processing, such as lubricating oils and waxes, to improve product purity.  

- Polymer Industry: Purification of polymer compounds to remove low-molecular impurities and optimize material performance.  

- Fragrance, Flavor, and Cosmetics: Extraction and purification of natural fragrances and plant essential oils, preserving the integrity of aromatic components.  

- Resource Recovery and Environmental Protection: Treatment of industrial waste liquids and oils to achieve resource recycling and reduce environmental pollution.  

 

 

 

1. Pre-Startup Preparation  

- Check that the cooling system (e.g., cooling water circulation pump) is operating normally to ensure condensation efficiency.  

- Preheat relevant components (e.g., heating cylinder) and test-run the wiper system to confirm no jamming or abnormal noise.  

- Inspect the vacuum system to ensure good sealing.  

 

2. Operation Process  

- Install the feeding device and adjust the wiper system speed to an appropriate level (set according to material characteristics).  

- Start the vacuum system and gradually adjust to the target vacuum level.  

- Begin feeding, maintain stable supply of liquid material, monitor evaporation and condensation status, and ensure continuous separation.  

 

3. Shutdown and Maintenance  

- Stop feeding, shut down the vacuum system, and turn off the heating device after pressure returns to normal.  

- Disassemble the feeding device, clean residual materials, and if necessary, use solvents such as anhydrous ethanol to clean the interior to prevent residual substances from affecting future use.  

 

 

To ensure safety and equipment lifespan, the following precautions should be noted during operation:  

- Safety Protection: Avoid contact with high-temperature components during operation to prevent burns; regularly inspect electrical circuits to avoid electric shock risks.  

- Sealing Inspection: The sealing performance of the vacuum system directly affects separation results. Regularly inspect sealing rings, interfaces, and other components, and replace aging parts promptly.  

- Parameter Adaptation: Adjust parameters such as wiper speed, vacuum level, and heating temperature according to material viscosity and heat sensitivity to optimize separation efficiency.  

 

 

Short-path distillation equipment, through its design featuring high vacuum, short residence time, and efficient heat transfer, provides an ideal solution for the separation and purification of heat-sensitive, high-boiling substances. Whether in food processing, pharmaceutical research, or environmental recycling, its flexible application scenarios and reliable separation performance make it an indispensable key equipment in modern industry. Selecting appropriate equipment and operating it standardizedly can effectively improve product quality and production efficiency."