Breaking Down the Differences Between Wiped Film Evaporators and Thin Film Evaporators

Wiped film evaporators and thin film evaporators are two types of industrial evaporators that are used to separate, concentrate, or purify liquids in a variety of industrial applications. While both types of evaporators operate on similar principles, there are some key differences that set them apart. In this blog post, we'll explore the similarities and differences between wiped film evaporators and thin film evaporators to help you determine which might be right for your industrial processing needs.

How Do Wiped Film Evaporators Work?

Wiped film evaporators consist of a cylindrical vessel with a heating jacket and a rotor fitted with closely spaced blades or wipers. The liquid to be evaporated is fed into the top of the vessel and flows down the inside of the cylinder as a thin film. The rotor rotates at a high speed, which causes the wipers to constantly wipe the liquid film off the walls of the vessel, creating a thin film that is heated by the jacket. The heat causes the liquid to vaporize, and the vapor is then condensed and collected in a separate vessel.

How Do Thin Film Evaporators Work?

Thin film evaporators also operate by creating a thin film of liquid on a heated surface. However, in this case, the liquid is fed into a horizontal or vertical cylindrical vessel and spread evenly over the interior walls. The vessel is heated, and the liquid forms a thin film that is heated and evaporated as it flows down the walls of the vessel. The vapor is then collected and condensed as in the case of the wiped film evaporator.

Key Differences Between Wiped Film Evaporators and Thin Film Evaporators

While both types of evaporators operate on the principle of creating a thin film of liquid to be evaporated, there are some key differences between them. These include:

Speed: Wiped film evaporators operate at a much higher speed than thin film evaporators, due to the high speed of the rotor and wipers. This can make them more efficient at quickly evaporating liquids but also make them more prone to mechanical wear and tear.

Film Thickness: Wiped film evaporators create a thinner film of liquid than thin film evaporators, due to the constant wiping action of the rotor. This can make them more effective at evaporating liquids with high boiling points or low heat transfer coefficients.

Scalability: Thin film evaporators can be more easily scaled up or down than wiped film evaporators, making them more versatile in terms of industrial processing applications.

Cost: Wiped film evaporators tend to be more expensive than thin film evaporators, due to the complex and specialized nature of the rotor and wiper system.

Which Evaporator is Right for Your Industrial Processing Needs?

Ultimately, the choice between wiped film evaporators and thin film evaporators will depend on your specific industrial processing needs. If you need to evaporate liquids quickly and efficiently and can afford the higher cost, a wiped film evaporator may be the right choice. If you need more flexibility in terms of scalability and cost, a thin film evaporator may be a better fit. Either way, both types of evaporators offer effective and reliable solutions for industrial liquid separation, concentration, and purification.

Glass vessels are one of the most common types of packaging used in the pharmaceutical industry.