Evaporators are laboratory equipment that is used to remove solvents from a sample through evaporation. They are commonly used in chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmaceutical research, where they are used to purify and concentrate samples. Evaporators are available in a range of designs and sizes, from bench-top models suitable for small volumes to larger industrial-scale equipment for processing large quantities of samples.
One common type of evaporator is the rotary evaporator, also known as a rotovap. This equipment uses a rotating flask to hold the sample, while a heated water bath provides heat to the flask to evaporate the solvent. A vacuum is applied to the system to reduce the pressure inside the flask, which lowers the boiling point of the solvent and speeds up the evaporation process. The vapors are condensed in a separate flask and can be collected for further analysis.
Another type of evaporator is the falling film evaporator, which is used for large-scale applications in the food, beverage, and chemical industries. This equipment involves the use of a vertical tube or shell-and-tube heat exchanger, which allows for continuous evaporation of the solvent. The sample is pumped into the top of the evaporator, where it flows down the surface of the tube or heat exchanger, while the solvent evaporates and is removed as vapor from the bottom of the evaporator.
Other types of evaporators include flash evaporators, which are used for high-speed evaporation of small volumes, and freeze-dryers, which are used for removing solvents by sublimation at low temperatures. Evaporators are essential laboratory equipment for many applications and can be found in a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and biotechnology.