HJCHEM laboratory glass short path molecular distillation systems are designed for R&D, feasibility testing, process development, and small-scale continuous separation.
Unlike flask-type short path kits, this series uses a vertical wiped-film evaporator with an internal condenser. Evaporation areas from 0.06 to 0.50 m² are available for different development stages.
For scale-up, HJCHEM also supplies pilot molecular distillation systems and industrial molecular distillation equipment
Evaporation Area: 0.06–0.50 m²
Material: Borosilicate Glass
Feed Rate: 0.05–6 kg/h for smaller models; up to 20 kg/h depending on model and process
Standard No-Load Vacuum: 0.1–1 Pa
High-Vacuum Option: 0.01–0.1 Pa
Operating Temperature: −90 to 300°C
Laboratory Molecular Distillation Models and Specifications
HJCHEM provides 0.06 to 0.50 m² evaporation areas of laboratory glass short path molecular distillation system.
Model selection should consider not only the required feed rate, but also feed viscosity, volatile content, separation target, operating temperature, and vacuum conditions.
| Specification | MD-60 | MD-80 | MD-100 | MD-150 | MD-200 | MD-230 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effective Evaporation Area (m²) | 0.06 | 0.10 | 0.15 | 0.25 | 0.35 | 0.50 |
| Feed Tank Capacity (L) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Feed Rate (kg/h) | 0.05–2 | 0.1–4 | 0.2–6 | Up to 10 | Up to 15 | Up to 20 |
| Light Fraction Receiver Capacity (L) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Heavy Fraction Receiver Capacity (L) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Condenser Area (m²) | 0.10 | 0.15 | 0.20 | 0.40 | 0.50 | 0.65 |
| Number of Wiper Sets | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Wiper Speed (rpm) | 0–300 | 0–300 | 0–300 | 0–300 | 0–300 | 0–300 |
| Motor Power | 60 W | 60 W | 120 W | 120 W | 120 W | 200 W |
| Gear Ratio | — | — | 1:3 | 1:3 | 1:3 | 1:3 |
Standard & Optional Configuration
| Specification | Configuration |
| Internal Condenser | Standard |
| Cold Trap | Optional |
| Wiper Type | Centrifugal Wiper System |
| Wiper Material | Composite PTFE |
| Wiper Speed Control | Variable-Frequency Speed Control |
| Seal Type | Magnetically Coupled Seal |
| No-Load Vacuum | Standard: 0.1–1 Pa / High-vacuum option: 0.01–0.1 Pa |
| Feeding Method | Standard: Manual Feed Valve / Optional: Continuous Feeding via Gear Pump |
| Discharge Method | Standard: Manual Discharge Valve / Optional: Continuous Discharge via Gear Pump |
| Vacuum Pump | Standard: Rotary Vane Vacuum Pump / Optional: Screw Vacuum Pump |
| Operating Temperature | −90 to 300°C; customization required above 250°C |
| Power Supply | 220 V, 50 Hz; other voltages available on request |
| Certification | CE Certification |
Note: Feed rate is application-dependent. Actual throughput varies with feed density, viscosity, composition, volatile content, operating temperature, vacuum level, and target separation. Vacuum values shown above refer to no-load vacuum; actual operating vacuum depends on process conditions.
Evaporation area alone does not determine processing capacity. System sizing should also consider feed viscosity, composition, vacuum, temperature, and target separation.
Why Choose Glass Molecular Distillation for Process Development?
Glass equipment is especially useful because operators can directly observe the wiped film process, including feed distribution, evaporation, internal condensation, and product collection.
Compared with stainless-steel systems, glass is generally preferred when visual process observation, small feed quantities, and flexible R&D work are more important than mechanical robustness or industrial integration. The main differences between glass and stainless steel molecular distillation systems are discussed in more detail for buyers planning future scale-up.
Main advantages include:
- Transparent process observation
- Low feed requirement for R&D
- Multiple evaporation areas
- Continuous wiped-film operation
- Easy transition to pilot-scale testing
System Configuration
The main system components include the feed tank, wiped-film evaporator, internal condenser, receivers, heating/cooling equipment, and vacuum system.
A typical HJCHEM laboratory molecular distillation system includes:
Feed Tank → Feed Valve or Gear Pump → Wiped-Film Evaporator → Internal Condenser → Light and Heavy Fraction Receivers
Optional supporting equipment includes:
- Heating circulator
- Condenser chiller
- Cold trap
- Vacuum pump
- Continuous feed and discharge pumps
From Laboratory Testing to Pilot Scale
LABORATORY
0.06–0.50 m²
Borosilicate Glass
Up to 20 kg/h*
Laboratory trials help establish key operating parameters such as:
- Feed rate
- Evaporation temperature
- Condenser temperature
- Vacuum level
- Wiper speed
- Distillate/residue ratio
- Product purity
Once suitable conditions are identified, the process can be transferred to a pilot stainless steel molecular distillation system for longer continuous operation and scale-up validation.
For larger production requirements, HJCHEM also provides industrial molecular distillation equipment.
Typical Applications
HJCHEM laboratory molecular distillation systems can be used for process development involving:
- Fish oils and specialty oils
- Essential oils and natural extracts
- Fatty acids and esters
- Vitamins and nutraceuticals
- Pharmaceutical intermediates
- Fine chemicals
- Silicone materials
- Resins and oligomers
- Heat-sensitive and high-boiling compounds
Application suitability depends on the actual feed composition, viscosity, thermal stability, and target separation.
How to Select the Right Laboratory Model
Smaller 0.06–0.15 m² systems are generally suitable for early feasibility testing and limited feed quantities.
Larger 0.25–0.50 m² systems provide more capacity for process optimization and scale-up work.
Feed viscosity should be specified together with the measurement temperature, since many materials become much less viscous when heated. High viscosity can reduce film formation and achievable feed rate even when the evaporation area remains unchanged.
Model selection should also consider feed viscosity at the expected operating temperature, especially for materials that thicken when cooled.
Key selection factors include:
- Available feed quantity
- Required feed rate
- Feed viscosity
- Target purity
- Vacuum requirement
- Operating temperature
- Need for continuous feeding and discharge
For broader equipment selection, compare process scale, material of construction, vacuum configuration, and required throughput.
HJCHEM molecular distillation systems are available for laboratory, pilot, and industrial processing.
Request a Laboratory Molecular Distillation System
For model selection and quotation, please provide:
- Feed material and composition
- Available feed quantity or required feed rate
- Density and viscosity, if available
- Target component and required purity
- Temperature limitation
- Required vacuum, if known
- Need for continuous feeding and discharge
HJCHEM can recommend a standard model or customize the system according to your process.
Not Sure Your Material Is Suitable for Molecular Distillation?
HJCHEM support to use our laboratory glass molecular distillation equipment for paid customer material trials if you are not sure if your material will work.
The test can help determine whether molecular distillation is technically feasible and identify an initial operating window.
Kindly note that: One test does not normally determine the final optimized process parameters; several runs is required to optimize feed rate, temperature, vacuum, wiper speed, and product cut.
If the customer subsequently purchases molecular distillation equipment from HJCHEM, the agreed testing fee can be credited toward the equipment order.
For uncertain feeds, material suitability should be evaluated before choosing a suitable model.