Mastering Short Path Distillation: Refining Your System’s Design.

Design Smarter, Distill Faster

In my previous two blog posts, I covered the importance of tube size and diameter in a short path setup. I also explained why proper gauge placement is more important than people think and shared a quick troubleshooting tip that helps prevent leaks. In the final part of this three-part series, I will discuss strategic design and what I recommend to further boost your distillation process. When implemented correctly, these design adjustments will help you cut your processing time in half.

Glass Head vs. Stainless Steel Head

Just as tube size and diameter impact the performance of your short path, so does your choice of condenser for your system. Glass columns in short path systems are typically narrow and tall. This design can cause pressure drops, requiring more energy and time to drive vapors up, causing extra reflux to occur. High flow volume before the condenser makes any sort of restriction extremely detrimental to the flow rate. For this reason, it’s recommended to upgrade to a column that has a larger diameter and shorter path, which will increase your distillation rate. Beaker & Wrench’s stainless steel head is designed with a coaxial condenser that reduces pressure drop and has large bores that can be retrofitted as an upgrade to almost any system. The stainless steel head is also unbreakable, unlike a glass column, which can cost anywhere from 1,000-3,000 dollars to replace. Having to replace a broken glass column can result in unnecessary downtime, which can interfere with your distillation workflow.

"High flow volume before the condenser makes any sort of restriction extremely detrimental to the flow rate. For this reason, it’s recommended to upgrade to a column that has a larger diameter and shorter path, which will increase your distillation rate."

Cow vs. Heated Outlet Pump

There is a vast variety of short path setups that have different cow designs. In short path distillation, the cow holds the receiving flasks that collect different fractions. Some common setups would include rotating cows, which require periodic rotation to catch the terpenes, head fraction, distillate, and the tails. This type of setup can cause cross-contamination in your process. Other setups use a single cow with a valve for unlimited changes in your flasks. Switching flasks on a valved cow forces the processor to break vacuum—even partially—disrupting the process and creating a hassle, not to mention transfer losses from flask to jar.

To achieve a smoother process with higher efficiency, an outlet pump is a great upgrade. The Beaker & Wrench outlet pump is easy to retrofit and allows for continuous flow while seamlessly switching out flasks. Like the stainless steel head, the outlet pump features a durable, easy-to-maintain stainless steel gear head. The heated outlet pump features stainless steel gears designed to distill viscous material without clogging.

Temperature Control

How you manage your mantles' temperature plays a key role in your process. Make sure to pay constant attention to your mantle and gradually increase the temperature to achieve an efficient distillation. Having an actively heated top mantle and ensuring your setup is properly insulated can significantly speed up the distillation process. Not having proper insulation can waste a significant amount of heat and energy, dramatically slowing your distillation. If you don’t have the proper jacket or thermal wrap for your setup, aluminum foil works just fine to insulate your short path. Just don’t leave your boiling flask naked. Make sure to invest in a quality mantle with a good stir bar. Stirring enhances heat transfer rates and prevents hot spots. Without proper stirring, liquid separation will occur, which can lead to contamination. The goal is to achieve even heat distribution in your mantle. Remember that the temperature of your mantle is under your direct control and is the most important setting of the process.

If you’re struggling with temperature stability, our team can help- contact us at info@beakerandwrench.com for a consultation.

Conclusion: Simple Adjustments, Remarkable Improvements

In short-path distillation, small changes can lead to substantial gains. By refining your system’s design, you can elevate your distillation efficiency and performance. Implement these simple adjustments and watch your distillation process significantly improve!