HJCHEM pilot-scale stainless steel molecular distillation systems are designed for process scale-up, validation, pilot production, and small-scale continuous processing.
Available evaporation areas range from 0.06 to 0.50 m². Compared with laboratory glass equipment, the pilot series uses SS316L wetted parts with continuous gear-pump feeding and discharge, providing an operating configuration closer to industrial production.
For early process development, HJCHEM glass systems provide a smaller-scale starting point, while industrial equipment is available for larger continuous production.
Evaporation Area: 0.06–0.50 m²
Wetted Material: SS316L
Feed Rate: 0.3–50 L/h, depending on model and process
Standard No-Load Vacuum: 0.1–1 Pa
High-Vacuum Option: 0.01–0.1 Pa
Operating Temperature: Up to 350°C
Feeding & Discharge: Continuous Gear Pump
Pilot Molecular Distillation Models and Specifications
HJCHEM Pilot standard evaporation areas are available from 0.06 to 0.50 m². Actual throughput depends on feed properties, operating conditions, and the required separation.
| Specification | MD-0.06SS | MD-0.1SS | MD-0.15SS | MD-0.25SS | MD-0.35SS | MD-0.5SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effective Evaporation Area (m²) | 0.06 | 0.10 | 0.15 | 0.25 | 0.35 | 0.50 |
| Feed Tank Capacity (L) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 50 |
| Feed Rate (L/h) | 0.3–3 | 0.3–5 | 0.5–10 | 1–15 | 2–30 | 10–50 |
| Light Fraction Receiver Capacity (L) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Heavy Fraction Receiver Capacity (L) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Condenser Area (m²) | 0.10 | 0.17 | 0.30 | 0.40 | 0.70 | 0.70 |
| Number of Wiper Sets | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Wiper Speed (rpm) | 0–350 | 0–350 | 0–350 | 0–350 | 0–350 | 0–350 |
| Motor Power | 60 W | 120 W | 120 W | 120 W | 120 W | 200 W |
| Gear Ratio | 1:3 | 1:3 | 1:3 | 1:3 | 1:3 | 1:3 |
| Standard & Optional Configuration | ||||||
| Wetted Material | SS316L Other stainless steels or alloy materials available on request | |||||
| Internal Condenser | Standard | |||||
| Cold Trap | Optional | |||||
| Wiper Type | Centrifugal Wiper System | |||||
| Wiper Material | Composite PTFE | |||||
| Seal Type | Magnetically Coupled Seal | |||||
| No-Load Vacuum | Standard: 0.1–1 Pa High-Vacuum Option: 0.01–0.1 Pa | |||||
| Feeding Method | Continuous Feeding via Gear Pump | |||||
| Discharge Method | Continuous Discharge via Gear Pump | |||||
| Vacuum Pump | Standard: Rotary Vane Vacuum Pump Optional: Screw Vacuum Pump | |||||
| Operating Temperature | Up to 350°C | |||||
| Power Supply | 220 V, 50/60 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 capacity varies with feed properties and separation duty. System sizing should therefore consider evaporation area, feed rate, viscosity, vacuum, and target separation together.
Why Use a Pilot Molecular Distillation System for Scale-Up?
Pilot equipment bridges the gap between laboratory development and industrial production.
Moving from a glass laboratory unit to SS316L pilot equipment is not only a change in material. It also allows longer continuous runs, gear-pump feeding and discharge, and operating conditions that are closer to industrial production. The main differences between glass and stainless steel molecular distillation systems are especially important when planning this scale-up step.
It allows users to verify:
- Continuous feeding and discharge
- Vacuum stability under feed
- Evaporation and condenser temperatures
- Wiper speed
- Feed rate
- Distillate/residue ratio
- Product purity and consistency
- Longer continuous operating periods
This makes the pilot system suitable for validating process parameters before selecting larger industrial equipment.
Pilot testing is especially useful for high-viscosity feeds because it can verify pumpability, film formation, stable feed rate, and discharge behavior under continuous operation. If viscosity changes strongly with temperature, feed preheating and temperature-controlled product paths can also be evaluated before industrial scale-up.
This is particularly important for high-viscosity feeds whose flowability changes rapidly with temperature.
For processes still in the feasibility stage, HJCHEM can first perform paid laboratory material testing to confirm whether molecular distillation is practical before moving to pilot-scale validation. A laboratory trial confirms basic feasibility; final process optimization may require multiple test conditions.
System Configuration
The main system components can be configured around the required feed, vacuum, heating, cooling, and control requirements.
A typical HJCHEM pilot molecular distillation system includes:
Feed Tank → Gear Pump → Wiped-Film Short Path Evaporator → Internal Condenser → Continuous Light and Heavy Fraction Discharge
Supporting equipment can include:
- Heating circulator
- Condenser chiller
- Cold trap
- Vacuum pump system
- Feed and discharge gear pumps
- Temperature and vacuum measurement
- Speed control
- Control cabinet
Vacuum and Process Configuration
Vacuum: 0.1–1 Pa standard no-load vacuum; 0.01–0.1 Pa high-vacuum option
Vacuum Pump: Rotary vane standard; screw pump optional
Cold Trap: Optional
Wiper: Centrifugal wiper with composite PTFE elements
Wiper Speed: 0–350 rpm
Seal: Magnetically coupled seal
Feeding: Continuous gear pump
Discharge: Continuous gear pump
HJCHEM vacuum specs distinguish no-load vacuum from actual operating pressure, which is affected by feed rate, volatility, temperature, and vapor load.
Feed viscosity also affects film formation, pumping, and achievable throughput, especially when viscosity changes strongly with temperature.
From Laboratory Development to Industrial Production
PILOT SCALE
0.06–0.50 m²
SS316L
Up to 50 L/h*
A typical scale-up route is:
Laboratory Glass → Pilot Stainless Steel → Industrial Stainless Steel
Laboratory trials establish initial operating conditions. Pilot equipment then verifies continuous operation and provides data for production-scale sizing.
Once pilot performance is validated, industrial equipment can be sized from the confirmed feed rate, evaporation load, vacuum stability, condenser performance, and separation results.
HJCHEM offers short path molecular distillation systems across all three scales, allowing the equipment configuration to be matched to each stage of process development.
Typical Pilot Applications
Pilot molecular distillation systems can be used for process validation and small-scale production involving:
- Fish oil molecular distillation and specialty-oil fractionation
- Fatty acids and esters
- Vitamins and nutraceuticals
- Essential oils and natural extracts
- pharmaceutical molecular distillation for heat-sensitive intermediates and high-boiling fractions
- Fine chemicals
- Silicone devolatilization for reducing cyclic siloxanes and other volatile fractions
- Resin purification and oligomer fractionation, including selected epoxy resin purification processes
- Heat-sensitive and high-boiling materials
Pilot testing is especially useful when industrial throughput or separation performance cannot be predicted reliably from laboratory data alone.
How to Select the Right Pilot Model
Smaller 0.06–0.15 m² systems are suitable for initial stainless steel scale-up and lower feed rates.
Mid-size 0.25–0.35 m² systems provide more capacity for process validation and extended pilot runs.
The 0.50 m² pilot system is better suited to higher feed rates, small continuous production, and final validation before industrial scale-up.
Key selection factors include:
- Required feed rate
- Feed density and viscosity
- Feed composition
- Target purity
- Distillate/residue ratio
- Vacuum requirement
- Operating temperature
- Required operating time
- Future industrial capacity
Broader equipment selection should also consider construction material, process scale, vacuum configuration, and future production requirements.
Request a Pilot Molecular Distillation System
For model selection and quotation, please provide:
- Feed material and composition
- Required feed rate
- Density and viscosity, if available
- Initial and target concentration
- Required product purity
- Expected light and heavy fractions
- Temperature limitation
- Required vacuum, if known
- Expected operating hours per batch or per day
- Future industrial production target, if applicable
HJCHEM can recommend a standard pilot model or customize the system according to your process and future scale-up requirements.