Anyan AYAN-F100 Glass Short-Path Molecular Distillation System

Overview

The Anyan AYAN-F100 Glass Short-Path Molecular Distillation System is a precision vacuum-based separation platform engineered for thermal-sensitive liquid mixtures where conventional distillation would induce degradation, polymerization, or decomposition. It operates on the physical principle of molecular mean free path differentiation under high vacuum (typically <10 Pa), enabling separation based on differences in molecular volatility rather than boiling point differentials. In this regime, the distance between the heated evaporating surface and the cooled condensing surface—shorter than the mean free path of vapor molecules—ensures that evaporated light components travel ballistically and condense before colliding with other molecules. This eliminates bulk vapor-phase resistance and minimizes residence time at elevated temperature, making the system particularly suitable for isolating thermolabile compounds such as unsaturated fatty acids, sterols, tocopherols, and polyphenolic derivatives.

Key Features

• Glass construction (borosilicate 3.3) for full process visibility, chemical inertness, and compliance with laboratory-grade material compatibility requirements
• Optimized short-path geometry: evaporator-to-condenser gap ≤ 50 mm ensures rapid condensation and ultra-low pressure maintenance at the vapor interface
• Heated evaporator drum with uniform temperature distribution (±1.5 °C) across the 0.15 m² active surface, controlled via PID-regulated oil bath or electric heating mantle
• Vertically oriented condenser with 0.25 m² effective cooling area, integrated with a built-in cryogenic cold trap (–20 °C to –40 °C operational range)
• Dual independent collection vessels (light and heavy fractions), each with volumetric calibration marks and PTFE-sealed stopcocks for inert atmosphere handling
• Integrated high-vacuum system comprising two-stage rotary vane pump and optional secondary diffusion or turbomolecular pumping for sustained <5 Pa operation
• Motor-driven wiper system (≤450 rpm) with adjustable film thickness control for consistent thin-film formation and heat transfer efficiency

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The AYAN-F100 accommodates viscous, semi-solid, and heat-labile feedstocks including crude fish oil, lanolin extracts, vegetable oil deodorizer distillates, polymer oligomer streams, and natural extract concentrates. Its all-glass fluid path eliminates metal contact, preventing catalytic oxidation or trace metal leaching—critical for pharmaceutical intermediates and nutraceutical purification. The system supports GLP-compliant operation when paired with external data loggers; vacuum, temperature, and feed rate parameters are monitorable via analog outputs. While not pre-certified to ISO 17025 or ASTM D6304, its design aligns with core principles referenced in ASTM D2892 (fractionation of petroleum fractions) and USP <271> (distillation methods for volatile impurities), and meets mechanical safety requirements per IEC 61010-1 for laboratory electrical equipment.

Software & Data Management

The AYAN-F100 operates as a manually supervised bench-scale unit without embedded digital control software. All operational parameters—including heating bath temperature, feed pump speed (if externally integrated), vacuum level (measured via Pirani + capacitance manometer), and condenser coolant temperature—are monitored via analog gauges and calibrated transducers. For regulated environments, users may connect third-party data acquisition systems (e.g., LabVIEW, Delta Tau PMAC, or Siemens SIMATIC S7-1200 PLC) via 4–20 mA or 0–10 V analog interfaces. Audit trails, electronic signatures, and 21 CFR Part 11 compliance require integration with validated LIMS or ELN platforms—no native functionality is provided.

Applications

• Fine chemical purification: isolation of fragrance aldehydes, monoglycerides, and epoxy soybean oil stabilizers
• Pharmaceutical processing: concentration of vitamin E acetate from saponified vegetable oils; recovery of ω-3 EPA/DHA ethyl esters from transesterified fish oil
• Food & nutraceutical manufacturing: removal of free fatty acids and odoriferous volatiles from edible oils; fractionation of cocoa butter equivalents
• Biopolymer synthesis: purification of lactide monomers prior to ring-opening polymerization; separation of polylactic acid (PLA) oligomers
• Environmental analysis: cleanup of PAH-contaminated lipid matrices prior to GC-MS quantification

FAQ

What is the minimum achievable operating pressure?
The system achieves and maintains <10 Pa with the standard two-stage rotary vane pump; addition of a turbomolecular pump reduces base pressure to ≤0.1 Pa.
Can the AYAN-F100 handle highly viscous feeds such as crude lanolin or tall oil?
Yes—pre-heating the feed vessel to 60–80 °C and using the wiper blade at ≤300 rpm ensures stable thin-film formation for viscosities up to 5000 cP.
Is the glass assembly resistant to hydrofluoric acid or strong alkalis?
No—borosilicate 3.3 glass is incompatible with HF, hot concentrated phosphoric acid, and >30% NaOH at elevated temperatures; alternative quartz or PFA-lined configurations are not available for this model.
Does the unit include vacuum measurement and temperature recording capability?
It includes analog vacuum gauges (Pirani type) and calibrated PT100 sensors at evaporator and condenser zones, but no internal data logging; external recording must be implemented by the user.
What regulatory documentation accompanies the instrument?
CE marking is not affixed; the unit ships with factory calibration certificates for temperature sensors and vacuum gauges, plus mechanical assembly drawings and CE-equivalent conformity declarations per Chinese GB/T 19001–2016 (ISO 9001).