How Thin-film Evaporation Works
An inherently simple device, the LCI agitated thin-film evaporator (also commonly referred to as a "wiped film evaporator") consists of two major assemblies: a heated body and a rotor.
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| Product enters (1) above the heated zone and is evenly distributed over the unit's inner surface by the rotor. As the product spirals (2) down the wall, bow waves (3) developed by the rotor blades generate highly turbulent flow, resulting in optimum heat flux and mass transfer. |
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Volatile components are rapidly evaporated. Vapors flow either countercurrently (4) or co-currently (5) through the unit, depending on the application. In both cases, vapors are ready for condensing or subsequent processing.
Nonvolatile components are discharged at the outlet (6). Continuous washing by the bow waves minimizes fouling of the thermal wall where the product or residue is concentrated most.
The combination of 1) extremely short residence time, 2) narrow residence time distribution, 3) high turbulence, and 4) rapid surface renewal permits the LCI thin-film evaporator to successfully handle heat-sensitive, viscous and fouling-type fluids.
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