Industrial short path distillation is the separation of components in a liquid mixture based on their boiling points under reduced pressure, using a very short distance (or “short path”) between the evaporator and the condenser.
It is particularly beneficial for refining high-purity products, including essential oils, pharmaceuticals, food additives and cannabis concentrates.
Evaporation area: 0.06, 0.1, 0.15, 0.25, 0.35, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 5㎡
Vacuum degree: less than 0.001 mbar
Feed speed: 1 ~500L/h
Max speed: 350rpm
Operation temperature: -90°C ~ +250°C
What is Short Path Distillation?
Short path distillation is a type of vacuum distillation that operates under low pressure to minimize the heat required for the separation process.
The liquid mixture is heated to evaporate the compounds and the vapor travels a very short distance through the distillation system before condensing into its purified form.
This process offers several advantages, especially when dealing with temperature-sensitive materials, as it allows for distillation at much lower temperatures than conventional methods.
At the name suggests, the key feature of short path distillation is the short distance that the vapor travels, which reduces the chance of thermal degradation.
Working Principle of Industrial Short Path Distillation
Feed the material from the top of the evaporator, and distribute continuously and evenly on the heating surface through the material-liquid distributor on the rotor, and the film scraper scrapes the product into a very thin liquid film.
The interior of the evaporator is in a high vacuum state.
The material absorbs heat on the heating surface and escapes from the heating surface.
The free path of light molecules is greater than the distance from the heating surface to the condensation surface, collides with the condenser and is captured to form a new liquid flow. It is left along the condenser tube and discharged through the bottom light discharge pipe.
The free path of heavy molecules is less than the distance from the heating surface to the condensation surface, kept in the liquid flow layer of the heating surface, and collected through the circular channel at the lower end of heating surface, then it is discharged from the heavy discharge pipe on the side.
Operation of Short Path Distillation System
The operation of short path distillation system involves the following stages:
- Heating the Mixture: The liquid mixture is heated under a vacuum to reduce its boiling points. As the mixture reaches its boiling point, the more volatile compounds start to vaporize.
- Vaporization: The vaporized components pass through the distillation apparatus at a short distance, usually no longer than a few centimeters, before reaching the condenser.
- Condensation: The vapor then condenses onto a cooled surface, where the separated components are collected as liquids.
- Fractionation: The condensed components are collected separately based on their individual boiling points, effectively separating them into purified compounds.
More details of Industrial Molecular Distillation
Key Applications of Industrial Short Path Distillation
Short path distillation is used in several industries for specific applications that require purification, separation and concentration. Some of the most common uses include:
1. Pharmaceutical Industry
In pharmaceutical manufacturing, short path distillation is used to purify active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and remove impurities, ensuring that drugs meet strict quality standards.
It is also used for solvent recovery during the manufacturing of high-purity compounds like vitamins, essential oils and bioactive compounds.
- Solvent Removal: Short path distillation helps remove solvents from APIs, ensuring that the final product is free from residual solvents.
- Purification of Essential Oils: In the production of essential oils, this technique allows for the extraction of pure oils without the risk of thermal degradation.
2. Cannabis and Hemp Industry
In the cannabis and hemp industry, short path distillation is used to refine and purify cannabis concentrates such as THC and CBD oils.
The process allows for high-quality distillates by removing unwanted compounds like waxes, lipids and chlorophyll while preserving the cannabinoid profile.
- Cannabinoid Purification: It helps isolate pure CBD or THC from crude extracts, yielding higher-quality distillates with greater potency.
- Terpene Preservation: By operating at low temperatures, short path distillation preserves the delicate terpenes found in cannabis, which are often lost in traditional distillation processes.
3. Food and Beverage Industry
Short path distillation is used for refining food-grade solvents and removing contaminants from flavors, fragrances and food additives. It ensures that these substances remain safe for human consumption and retain their desired and characteristics.
- Flavor Concentration: It is used to concentrate flavors and essences from natural sources while maintaining their integrity and flavor profiles.
- Essential Oils: For natural extracts, short path distillation is an ideal method for producing high-purity essential oils in food products and fragrances.
4. Chemical Industry
In chemical manufacturing, short path distillation is used to refine chemicals and solvents, separate hazardous materials and recover valuable byproducts in a highly controlled environment.
It is also used in the production of speciality chemicals, including lubricants, waxes and resins.
5. Enironmental Applications
Short path distillation can also play crucial role in solvent recovery and waste management.
By using this method to reclaim and purify solvents, manufacturers can reduce environmental waste and improve overall sustainability.
Advantages of Industrial Short Path Distillation
- Purity and Quality: Short path distillation allows for the purification of high-purity products, as it minimizes thermal degradation and removes impurities effectively. This makes it particularly suitable for sensitive compounds.
- Low-Temperature Operation: The process operates at lower temperatures, reducing the likelihood of decomposition and preserving the integrity of the material being distilled.
- High Efficiency: Because of the short path vapor travel, short path distillation offers high separation efficiency, allowing for faster and more effective purification processes.
- Cost-Effective: Although the initial setup cost may be higher compared to traditional distillation systems, short path distillation offers cost savings over time due to its efficiency and ability to recover solvents and valuable byproducts.
- Scalability: Short path distillation can be easily scaled for both small and large production needs, making it versatile for various industrial applications.
