Wiped Film Evaporator

Wiped Film Evaporator

Wiping Film Evaporators are advanced thin-film evaporation units designed for the efficient removal of solvents from heat-sensitive, viscous, or foaming liquids. With rotating wiper blades, they create a thin uniform film, enabling rapid evaporation and precise thermal control. Ideal for pharmaceutical, chemical, food, and specialty industries.

Overview

• Cylindrical glass body with rotating wiper blades
• Short vapor path reduces thermal load
• Heating via jacket or shell with thermal fluid
• Modular scale: lab to pilot plant capacities
• Material: Borosilicate glass, PTFE, and corrosion-resistant wipers/seals
• Thermally sensitive material handling without degradation
• Optional integration with vacuum and condenser modules

Working Principle

• Liquid feed enters the cylindrical evaporation body.
• Wiper blades rotate, spreading the liquid into a thin, uniform film.
• Heat from the jacketed surface evaporates volatiles efficiently.
• Vapors move via short path to a condenser, minimizing thermal exposure.
• Concentrated product is collected at the bottom.

Key Advantage: Short residence time preserves delicate compounds while maximizing throughput.

Salient Features & Benefits

• Maximum solvent removal in single pass
• Uniform thin film formation increases heat transfer efficiency
• Handles high-viscosity, foaming, and heat-sensitive materials
• Prevents fouling and dry spots, maintaining continuous operation
• High surface-to-volume ratio → faster evaporation
• Easy to clean, install, and maintain
• Modular design: lab, pilot, and industrial scales
• Compatible with vacuum and low-pressure operation
• Reduces energy consumption and improves process safety

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Specification
Design	Cylindrical glass body with rotating wiper blades
Heating	Jacket or shell heating with thermal fluid
Wipers & Seals	PTFE or corrosion-resistant materials
Operating Temperature	Product: up to 200°C; Jacket: up to 230°C
Vacuum Compatibility	5 mm Hg to 0.005 mm Hg
Capacity	Lab to pilot-scale modular units
Material	Borosilicate glass, PTFE, SS316 (optional)
Vapor Path	Short path to condenser
Surface Area	DN-80 x 0.15 m² to DN-150 x 0.5 m²
Pressure	Jacket pressure: up to 2.0 bar (g)
Installation	Vertical, skid-mounted or modular frame

Construction Details

• Glass Body: Precision borosilicate glass tube
• Wipers: PTFE or SS316 coated for corrosion resistance
• Heating Jacket: Compatible with thermal oil or steam
• Vapor Interface: Standard flange connections for condensers
• Frame: Skid-mounted, modular design for easy plant integration

Applications

• Pharmaceuticals: Solvent recovery, bio-extract concentration
• Chemicals: Thin-film distillation, purification, and solvent recycling
• Food & Beverages: Aroma extraction, gentle concentration
• Heat-sensitive liquids: Prevents degradation of sensitive compounds
• Pilot & R&D plants: Testing new processes, scaling up reactions

Optional Accessories & Modules

• High-vacuum pumps for low-pressure evaporation
• Coil or shell & tube condensers for efficient vapor recovery
• Digital controllers for temperature, vacuum, and wiper speed
• Feed pumps for continuous operation
• Modular skid for easy plant relocation
• Safety valves and pressure release modules for operational security

Advantages Over Conventional Evaporation

• Shorter residence time → preserves product quality
• Uniform thin-film → higher evaporation rate
• Can handle viscous or foaming liquids
• Minimal fouling → reduced maintenance downtime
• Compact modular design → saves space

Maintenance & Operation Tips

• Regular inspection of wiper blades and PTFE seals
• Clean glass body and condenser after each batch
• Monitor jacket temperature and vacuum levels
• Replace worn components to ensure consistent performance
• Ensure proper integration with vacuum pumps and chillers

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Wiping Film Evaporator

Q1: What is a Wiping Film Evaporator?
It is a thin-film evaporation system where a rotating wiper spreads liquid into a thin film on a heated glass surface, enabling fast and gentle evaporation of heat-sensitive or viscous materials.

Q2: What industries use Wiping Film Evaporators?
Pharmaceutical, chemical, fine chemicals, food & beverage, cosmetics, and R&D labs use it for solvent recovery, distillation, and concentration of sensitive materials.

Q3: Can it handle viscous or foaming liquids?
Yes! The rotating wiper system ensures uniform thin-film formation, which allows processing of high-viscosity, foaming, and heat-sensitive liquids without degradation.

Q4: What is the maximum operating temperature?
Product-side temperatures up to 200°C and jacket-side temperatures up to 230°C, depending on the system configuration.

Q5: Can the unit operate under vacuum?
Yes, it can operate at vacuum levels ranging from 5 mm Hg to 0.005 mm Hg, improving evaporation efficiency and protecting heat-sensitive products.

Q6: What materials are used in construction?
All wetted parts are made of high-precision borosilicate glass and PTFE, with optional corrosion-resistant stainless steel for certain components.

Q7: How do I clean and maintain the evaporator?
Regular cleaning of the glass body and wipers is recommended. Inspect PTFE seals and wiper blades for wear and replace as needed. Ensure vacuum and heating systems are checked before operation.

Q8: Can it be scaled from lab to pilot plant?
Yes, modular designs allow for lab-scale, pilot-scale, and industrial applications, making it flexible for various production needs.

Q9: What accessories can be integrated?
Optional accessories include vacuum pumps, condensers, feed pumps, digital controllers, and safety valves for optimized operation.

Q10: Why choose a Wiping Film Evaporator over conventional evaporation?
It offers higher evaporation rates, short residence time, minimal product degradation, and reduced fouling, making it ideal for sensitive and viscous materials.