Viscosity Comparison Chart
If you need help deciding on which evaporator to choose, our helpful chart provides a visual overview of various evaporator and processing technologies categorized by their suitability across a wide range of concentrate viscosities, from dilute solutions (1,000 cP) to extremely viscous materials (50 million cP).
Orange colored equipment is available from LCI
For low-viscosity applications, Flash and Forced Circulation Evaporators are common. As viscosity increases, Vertical and Horizontal Thin Film Evaporators are introduced to handle heat-sensitive, moderately viscous concentrates. For highly viscous materials requiring devolatilization, technologies like the High Viscosity Thin Film Evaporator and Filmtruder/Viscon are recommended. At the upper end of the viscosity scale, Kneading Reactors and Large Volume Processors (LVPs) support reaction-based processing, while Vented Extruders are employed for trace devolatilization in extremely high-viscosity applications.
Flash Evaporator
- Viscosity Range: Up to ~1,000 cP
- Application Stage: Preconcentration (Dilute)
- Notes: Suitable for low-viscosity, non-viscous feedstocks.
Forced Circulation Evaporator
- Viscosity Range: Up to ~1,000 cP
- Application Stage: Preconcentration (Dilute)
- Notes: Used for solutions that tend to foul or crystallize; still in the low-viscosity range.
Vertical Thin Film Evaporator
- Viscosity Range: ~1,000 to ~50,000 cP
- Application Stage: Concentration (Viscous, Heat Sensitive)
- Notes: Ideal for heat-sensitive, moderately viscous products due to short residence times.
Horizontal Thin Film Evaporator
- Viscosity Range: ~1,000 to ~50,000 cP
- Application Stage: Concentration
- Notes: Functions similarly to vertical thin film evaporators but better suited for certain material flows.
High Viscosity Thin Film Evaporator
- Viscosity Range: ~50,000 to ~1 million cP
- Application Stage: Devolatilization (Highly Viscous)
- Notes: Designed for very viscous products needing solvent or monomer removal.
Filmtruder and Viscon
- Viscosity Range: ~50,000 to ~1 million cP
- Application Stage: Devolatilization
- Notes: Combines thin film evaporation and extrusion-like action for challenging materials.
Single or Twin Shaft Kneading Reactors / Large Volume Processor (LVP)
- Viscosity Range: ~1 million to ~20 million cP
- Application Stage: Reaction / Devolatilization
- Notes: Suitable for high-viscosity reactions and product formulations.
Vented Extruder
- Viscosity Range: ~20 million to 50 million+ cP
- Application Stage: Trace Devolatilization (Very High Viscosity)
- Notes: Effective for trace removal of volatiles in extremely viscous materials.