Operation Principle
- The rotor blades [3] produce centrifugal force, holding a thin film of feed material [4] against the heated process wall [2].
- The turbulent, thin film between the rotor blade and process wall covers the entire heated section, regardless of feed or evaporation rates. It is constantly renewed by the incoming feed [4], while more concentrated material is displaced towards the bottom discharge nozzle [6].
- High vacuum minimizes processing temperature and residence time is short, reducing degradation of heat-sensitive materials.
Two Basic Layouts
Co-Current: The liquid and the produced vapor travel in the same direction within the heated process section, for use in higher viscosity applications and to reduce liquid entrainment.
Counter-Current: The liquid and the produced vapor travel in opposite directions, typically preferred with drying, stripping, or distillation to prevent reflux from traveling to the bottoms outlet.