Short Path Distillation System

The short path distillation system operates on the principle that molecules have varying volatility. In a high vacuum environment, it leverages the swift processes of evaporation and condensation to separate the components of a mixture. Specifically, it capitalizes on the difference in mean free path among distinct molecules under vacuum conditions to aid in this separation. When under high vacuum, gas molecules have a much longer mean free range, enabling them to traverse greater distances before encountering other molecules.

After heating the mixture to the appropriate evaporation temperature using a heating system, the liquid molecules start to transform into vapor and spread from the bulk of the liquid towards the evaporating surface. Here, they can freely evaporate at the liquid layer's surface. The vaporized molecules then travel a relatively short distance (typically just a few centimeters) to the condenser. Due to the vapor molecules' greater mean free range compared to the distance between the evaporating and condensing surfaces, they swiftly condense back into a liquid in the condenser. The condensed liquid is subsequently gathered through a specialized collection system. The varying volatility of molecules in different substances allows them to condense at different temperatures, thereby enabling the separation of the mixture components.

The short path distillation system is mainly composed of a heating system, an evaporation chamber, a condenser, a vacuum system and a collection system. Among them, the heating system is used to provide the heat required for evaporation; the evaporation chamber is where the mixture evaporates and the vapour is formed; the condenser is used to condense the vapour into a liquid; the vacuum system is used to maintain a high vacuum environment and to increase the mean free range of the molecules; and the collection system is used to collect the condensed liquid.

The low distillation temperature is a key differentiator between short path distillation system and conventional distillation techniques. Unlike conventional distillation, which requires a temperature above the boiling point, short path distillation system is carried out at temperatures far below the boiling point. As long as there is a temperature difference, the purpose of separation can be achieved.
The high distillation vacuum enables the attainment of a high vacuum inside the short path distillation equipment, which is typically conducted under very low pressure. This minimises the risk of oxidation and damage to the material.
The thin film of distillate, formed due to the short distance between the evaporation and condensation surfaces, improves heat transfer efficiency.
The heating time for the material is reduced as the distance between the heated liquid surface and the condensation surface is less than the average free range of light molecules. As a result, the likelihood of thermal decomposition of the material is minimised.

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