Falling Film vs. Rotovap Distillation Equipment

RotoVaps Vs. Falling Film for Solvent Removal

Add sample to glass round bottom and attach to rotovap apparatus.
Optionally, the inlet port and vacuum may be used to suck the sample into the round bottom.
Set the heating bath at a temperature required to boil the solvent.
Turn on the vacuum and the chiller to cool the condenser.
Lower the roundbottom into the heating bath and start the rotation motor.
Wait for the solvent to begin to boil.
The solvent will condense on the condensers and drip into the solvent reservoir.

1-10% Water is typically co-extracted with ethanol.
That water must be removed from the extract in addition to the ethanol.
In a rotovap, the ethanol will boil off along with some water and other volatile compounds into the collection vessel.
However, most of the water is left in the round bottom, making a rich oil-water emulsion.
This emulsion is difficult to break and evaporate, even under vacuum conditions.
Typically, the temperature needs to be raised.

During solvent removal, volatile plant components, including water and plant components, are extracted and co-distilled with ethanol.
Thus ethanol builds up contaminants every time it is used.
cGMPs and solvent reuse guidance have been issued by regulatory agencies. Process validation requires demonstrating that the solvent is returned to its original state, is suitable for use, and is not cross-contaminating.
Many cGMP facilities that have validated processes have established that ethanol can only be used three times before contamination builds up to an unacceptable level.
This makes the ethanol process extremely expensive and unsustainable.

If the oil is to be distilled, decarboxylation is typically conducted after the solvent is removed. Distillation removes chlorophyll and also concentrates the extract.
Decarboxylation of oil involves boiling the oil at over 100°C under a vacuum for over an hour.
High temperature degrades many of the beneficial terpenes that may be in the extract.
ASK ABOUT OUR TERP TRAP + DECARB OVEN SOLUTION

Higher Throughput
No glass
Multiple columns or multiple passes enable thorough removal of water and ethanol without
Easy removal/separation of product and solvent
Short residence time of the product exposed to higher temperatures

Typically, it does not run under a vacuum. However, the Fractron 100,1000 is run under a vacuum.
Typically, it is a batch process, but the Fractron 100,1000 is not designed for continuous processing
More expensive

The feed pump pumps solvent extract into the top of the first falling film evaporator.
The first evaporator is set at a temperature and vacuum that enables the removal of most of the target solvent.
The solvent is removed, condensed, and recovered in the solvent reservoir.
The oil from the first evaporator is then pumped to the second evaporator for finishing. It is held at a higher temperature and vacuum than the first evaporator.
Again, the water and ethanol are evaporated, condensed, and recovered (or discarded) to the solvent reservoir.
Finally, the oil from the second evaporator is pumped into the finishing column. This column can be held at a much higher temperature to evaporate the solvent or even decarboxylate the oil fully.

Continuous operation
Continuous Integration with upstream and downstream equipment
Three independent zones of temperature and flow control allow adjustment between fractions.
Each independent zone condensate can be a separate fraction.
Optional packed bed enables fractionation or decarboxylation.
Online decarb in third zone
Inert Gas Counterflow
No reflux reservoir
C1D2 Compliant and UL 698a
Data logging & automated reporting
Automation
Reduced maintenance
Higher throughput
Automated cleaning methods

Desirable Characteristic	Rotovap	Falling Film	fracTRON Falling Film
More Automation	+	++	+++++
Continuous Operation	+	+	+++
Data & Batch Logging	+	+	+++++
Reduced Maintenance	++	+	+++++
High Robustness	+	+++++	+++++
Reduced Contamination	+	+++++	+++++
Better Scalability	+	+++	+++++
Easier Cleanability	+++	++	++
Continuous Vacuum	+	+++++	+++++
High Throughput	+	+++	+++++
C1D2 UL698A	+	+/?	+++++
Packing or Tubes	N/A	+	+++++
Multi-pass in one single contained run	+	+	+++++
Built-in GMP Compliance	+	+	+++++