Industrial Large-Capacity Rotary Evaporator
Industrial Large-Capacity Rotary Evaporator
Mechotech manufactures industrial, large-capacity rotary evaporators for gentle solvent removal and concentration in peptide, pharmaceutical and natural-product processing. A rotating evaporation flask spreads the liquid into a thin, constantly renewed film over a heated bath, so solvent evaporates quickly at a mild temperature under vacuum and is recovered by an efficient condenser. Wetted parts are built in borosilicate glass and PTFE to stand up to aggressive and corrosive solvents, and evaporation flasks are offered in 50 L and 100 L sizes for pilot and production duty. Units run under vacuum or at atmospheric pressure and can be supplied EX-proof and in GMP or non-GMP configurations.
A Mechotech rotary evaporator combines a thermostatic heating bath, a motor-driven rotating flask and a large-surface condenser to concentrate extracts and recover solvent efficiently. The continuous rotation both maximises the evaporation surface and forces convection through the liquid, which prevents sedimentation, bumping and hot-spot degradation of heat-sensitive peptides and actives. Borosilicate glassware and PTFE seals give broad chemical resistance, while a maintenance-free vacuum sealing system holds a stable vacuum for reliable, unattended running. The system operates under vacuum for low-temperature evaporation or atmospherically where appropriate, is available in an explosion-proof build for flammable solvents, and can be delivered to GMP or non-GMP standards. Bath size, condenser type, flask volume and glassware layout are all customizable to the process, and the evaporator integrates naturally downstream of Mechotech's extraction and chromatography lines for solvent stripping and product concentration.
Technical Specifications
| Equipment Type | Industrial large-capacity rotary evaporator |
|---|---|
| Evaporation Flask | 50 L and 100 L (configurable) |
| Wetted Materials | Borosilicate glass and PTFE |
| Operation Mode | Vacuum or atmospheric |
| Heating | Thermostatic bath, mild controlled temperature |
| Condenser | Large-surface condenser (type configurable) |
| Rotation | Motor-driven, adjustable speed |
| Convection | Forced convection prevents sedimentation and bumping |
| Vacuum Sealing | Maintenance-free vacuum seal |
| Hazardous-Area Option | Explosion-proof (EX) build |
| Compliance Grade | GMP or non-GMP |
| Glassware | Customizable layout and configuration |
| Utilities | Electrical power, vacuum, cooling / chilled water |
| Output | Concentrated product and recovered solvent |
Plant Capacities
| Flask Size | Scale / Usage | Construction | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 L | Pilot / small production | Borosilicate glass + PTFE | Vacuum or atmospheric |
| 50 L | Production | Borosilicate glass + PTFE | Vacuum or atmospheric |
| 100 L | Large production | Borosilicate glass + PTFE | Vacuum or atmospheric |
Standard evaporation-flask sizes; the thermostatic bath, condenser, vacuum system and glassware layout are scaled to each flask. EX-proof and GMP or non-GMP builds are available and larger or custom capacities are supplied on request.
Manufacturing Process
Feed Charging
The dilute extract, eluate or reaction solution is charged into the borosilicate evaporation flask, sized 50 L or 100 L for pilot or production batches.
Bath Heating
The thermostatic bath is set to a mild temperature suited to the solvent and the heat sensitivity of the product, providing gentle, uniform heat.
Rotation & Film Formation
The flask rotates to spread the liquid into a thin film with a high evaporation surface; forced convection prevents sedimentation, bumping and local overheating.
Vacuum Application
Vacuum lowers the solvent's boiling point so it evaporates quickly at low temperature; the maintenance-free vacuum seal holds a stable, reliable vacuum. Atmospheric operation is available where required.
Evaporation & Concentration
Solvent flashes off the thin film and the product is progressively concentrated, protecting delicate peptides and actives from thermal degradation.
Condensation & Solvent Recovery
Vapour is drawn to the large-surface condenser, where it condenses and is collected in the receiving flask for clean solvent recovery and reuse.
Product & Solvent Discharge
The concentrated product is discharged from the evaporation flask and the recovered solvent from the receiver, ready for the next stage or for recycling.
Cleaning & Changeover
The glassware is cleaned and the customizable flask and glass layout reconfigured as needed between products, supporting fast, contamination-free changeover.
Applications
- Solvent removal and concentration of peptide and protein solutions
- Concentration of chromatography eluate and column fractions
- Recovery and recycling of process solvents
- Concentration of botanical and natural-product extracts
- Pharmaceutical and API intermediate concentration
- Crystallisation feed preparation and reaction work-up
- Nutraceutical, food and cosmetic extract concentration
- Downstream concentration for extraction and purification lines
Key Features
Large 50 L & 100 L Capacity
Big borosilicate evaporation flasks handle pilot and production batches, greatly increasing throughput over benchtop evaporators.
Borosilicate Glass & PTFE Build
Glass and PTFE wetted parts resist aggressive and corrosive solvents, keeping the product clean and the equipment durable.
Forced Convection, No Sedimentation
Continuous rotation forces convection and renews a high-surface film, preventing sedimentation, bumping and hot-spot degradation of heat-sensitive material.
Vacuum or Atmospheric Operation
Vacuum operation gives gentle low-temperature evaporation, while atmospheric operation is available where the process allows.
Maintenance-Free Vacuum Sealing
A maintenance-free vacuum seal holds a stable vacuum for reliable, unattended running and low upkeep.
EX-Proof, GMP or Non-GMP, Customizable
An explosion-proof build suits flammable solvents, GMP or non-GMP configurations are available, and bath, condenser and glassware are customizable to the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an industrial rotary evaporator used for?
Why use borosilicate glass and PTFE?
What flask sizes are available?
Vacuum or atmospheric — which should I use?
How does it protect heat-sensitive products?
Is an explosion-proof and GMP version available?
Does it integrate with extraction and purification lines?
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