An Agitated Thin Film Evaporator (ATFE), also known as a Thin Film Evaporator (TFE) or Wiped Film Evaporator (WFE), comprises a jacketed shell that is precisely machined on the interior surface and a rotor with blades that maintain a minimal gap from the shell.

A feed distributor at the inlet ensures the liquid is evenly spread into a thin film over the heated wall. The high-speed rotor then enhances the distribution and provides vigorous agitation as the film moves downward. The resulting vapors flow in a counter current direction and are effectively separated from any entrained droplets by an integrated entrainment separator.

Features

A retention time of just a few seconds with minimal variation is a crucial feature for processing heat-sensitive products.
Required evaporation is achieved in a single pass, eliminating the need for product recirculation and reducing the risk of degradation.
On the heat transfer surface, scale development is efficiently reduced by constant movement of the liquid film.
Operates at pressures as low as 1 mbar and temperatures up to 400°C
Minimal product hold-up, making it ideal for hazardous applications
Exceptional turn-down capability

Applications

Processing of plant extracts, oleoresins, enzymes, dairy products, juices, and sugars
Distillation of fine chemicals, bulk drugs, intermediates, glycols, used lubricating oils, fatty acids and their derivatives, monomers, pre-polymers, polymers, rubber chemicals, amines, and esters
Stripping of plasticizers, silicone oils, and pesticides
Recovery of products from residues
Recovery of contaminated solvents and materials from residues