What is short path distillation ?

Short path distillation, also known as fractional distillation, is a technique used in chemical processes to separate and purify materials from other compounds based on their boiling points through low-pressure evaporation. 

The precision in this process is particularly effective for isolating and enhancing quality in high-value compounds, such as essential oils, by minimising thermal degradation and producing a more concentrated and pure end product. The method's effectiveness lies in its ability to handle high-boiling-point compounds with minimal loss and optimal yield.

Unlike conventional distillation techniques that require heavy-duty equipment, short path distillation is possible with limited equipment and production capacity. Specialty flasks, test tubes, beakers, and other small glassware are sufficient for this method and will still allow you to achieve high purity levels without taking up a large area of your workspace.

How does it work?

Short path distillation is a specialised technique for separating and purifying liquids based on their boiling points. This involves heating a liquid mixture and then condensing the vapour to isolate specific components. Here's a concise overview of the process

1. Setup

The liquid mixture or material is placed in a round-bottomed flask. Once set, the material goes into a heated flask, and the flask is heated using a specialised heating mantle that will gradually increase heat to enable evaporation.

2. Evaporation

The vapours rise through a short path or column to minimise exposure to high temperatures. This shortens the distance of the vapour travel before reaching the condenser, and reduces the probability of thermal degradation. The flask also creates a vacuum that decreases atmospheric pressure inside the system.

3. Vapour Path

The vapour path is kept short to prevent the loss of volatile components and minimise the chance of reactions occurring during the distillation. Vapour drawn into the tubing allows the mixed vapours to cool and condense.

4. Condensation

The material exits from the tube and into another tube that condenses the vapour. The condensed liquid, now enriched in the desired compound, is collected in a separate container.

5. Fractional Distillation 

After the condensation process, the material undergoes separate dispersal paths, where it exits into different flasks based on weight. Short path distillation is a form of fractional distillation, which makes it particularly effective for compounds with high boiling points.

6. Collection

The condensed liquid, now purified, is collected in a receiving flask. This final product is often more potent than the original mixture.

Processing the extract multiple times through a short path distillation apparatus is ideal for optimum separation and product refinement. Overall, the short path distillation's efficiency lies in its ability to minimise thermal pressure on the substances, enabling the separation of high-boiling-point compounds with enhanced purity and minimal loss.

The Advantages of Short Path Distillation

Because short path distillation offers precise separation and quality results, it is an efficient method for refining substances, removing impurities, and obtaining pharmaceutical-grade products in various industries. Here are short path distillation benefits:

1. Continuous Feed

Continuous feed is a valuable feature of short path distillation unlike many other distillation methods. Its highly accurate evaporation system requires fewer instances of high temperature to extract the same volume of a product. As a result, you can achieve large quantities of quality products for long periods of time.

2. Faster Completion Time

Compared to other distillation methods, short path distillation benefits researchers with quick and reliable separation in seconds without compromising product quality. This is done through the process of vacuum pressure, which makes it ideal for industries with time-sensitive materials and production cycles.

3. Ideal for compounds that are unstable at high temperatures

Some compounds require high temperatures for effective separation. However, exposure to higher temperatures may cause some elements to become unstable. Short path distillation mitigates this risk by reducing a compound’s boiling point through vacuum pressure.

4. Automated and easy to use

Unlike most conventional distillation methods, short path distillation is easy to use, and only requires simple and compact equipment to produce high-quality distillate levels.

5. Produces high concentrations of distillates

For purified CBD products, short path distillation is best for separating CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and achieving a high concentration of cannabis distillates. 

6. Reduced product waste

Short path distillation minimises compounds lost on the fringes of the equipment. Short path distillation compounds travel from one instrument to another – from the heated flask to the condensation tube – which leads to reduced product wastage involving expensive compounds that require purification. 

What are the applications of short path distillation in different industries?

Being a highly efficient process, short path distillation revolutionises diverse industries by precisely isolating compounds. From pharmaceuticals to essential oils, short path distillation applications preserve delicate substances, ensuring superior product potency. And with minimal loss and increasing yields, the short path distillation method stands as a pivotal technology to enhance quality across various sectors:

• Pharmaceutical Industry:

Short path distillation in pharmaceuticals is crucial for producing high-purity compounds. It refines and separates active pharmaceutical ingredients from complex mixtures, ensuring the removal of unwanted byproducts. This method is particularly valuable for processing heat-sensitive pharmaceutical compounds without compromising quality as well as preserving the integrity of sensitive molecules. The precise control over temperature and ability to handle high-boiling-point substances makes short path distillation an essential technique in pharmaceutical manufacturing for enhanced purity, efficacy, and safety profiles.

• Cannabis and Hemp Extraction

For cannabis and hemp extraction, the method of short path distillation refines cannabinoids and essential oils. This cannabis distillation technique separates and concentrates compounds like CBD and THC to produce purer extracts with minimised contaminants. Because it works with low operating temperatures, it preserves the delicate nature of cannabinoids, ensuring a higher-quality end product.

• Essential Oil Production

Short path distillation plays a vital role in essential oil purification and production. By efficiently extracting and purifying aromatic compounds, it separates volatile components from plant materials at lower temperatures while preserving delicate aromas. This ensures high-quality essential oils, making it a preferred method in the fragrance and aromatherapy industries for crafting premium, botanical essential oil products.

• Petrochemical and Chemical Manufacturing

In petrochemical and chemical manufacturing, short path distillation is used to refine and separate high-boiling-point compounds. This enables the production of pure chemicals and fuels. Its precision in the distillation process makes it a vital method for processing complex mixtures, minimising thermal degradation, and ensuring the integrity of valuable substances.

• Food and Beverage Industry

Short path distillation in the food and beverage industry involves refining and concentrating flavours, fragrances, and essential oils. The food industry distillation process requires short path distillation because it separates compounds at lower temperatures and preserves delicate aromas and flavours. It is instrumental for creating high-quality extracts to be used in beverages, confectionery, and food products. It ensures the retention of natural characteristics and contributes to the production of quality ingredients to enhance the overall sensory experience in the food and beverage industry.

• Environmental Applications

Environmental applications of distillation enable researchers to separate and purify contaminants from liquids. Short path distillation is essential for the remediation of polluted water as well as concentrating and isolating target substances for analysis. Short path distillation aids in environmental monitoring and research and ensures accurate assessments of pollutants which contribute to sustainable practices for waste treatment and resource recovery.

• Research and Development

In research and development, short path distillation is a versatile tool for isolating, purifying, and studying chemical compounds. Research and development with short path distillation enables researchers the precise control over temperature and pressure, which is necessary in facilitating the exploration of new materials and processes. Widely used in laboratories, short path distillation supports the development of innovative products, pharmaceuticals, and technologies by providing researchers with reliable means of refining and analysing complex chemical mixtures.

• Renewable Energy

In renewable energy, short path distillation purifies biofuels, extracting high-energy components efficiently. Renewable energy distillation contributes to the production of cleaner, more sustainable fuel sources by refining feedstocks, ensuring optimal quality. Short path distillation also plays a crucial role in developing advanced biofuels, and supports the efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate environmental impact in the renewable energy sector.

• Biotechnology

Short path distillation in biotechnology utilises the purification and concentration of bioactive compounds like enzymes, proteins, and pharmaceutical intermediates. Biotechnology applications of short path distillation ensures the preservation of delicate biomolecules and supports the development of biopharmaceuticals and biomaterials. This method contributes to advancing biotechnological processes, enhancing the efficiency and purity of valuable bio-based products.

• Flavours and Fragrances Industry

Short path distillation is integral to the flavours and fragrances industry because of its efficiency and precision in refining essential oils and isolating aroma compounds. Because the method functions with lower temperatures, it preserves the delicate fragrance profiles of botanicals. It extracts and purifies natural flavours, and ensures the production of high-quality extracts for use in perfumes, cosmetics, and food. 

What are different short path distillation kits and accessories to look for?

Short path distillation kits are designed in various types, each made for specific applications offering diverse solutions for purifying substances, catering to the unique needs of industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to essential oil extraction. Here are different types of short path distillation kits:

2L Short Path Distillation Kit

The 2L short path distillation kits in Across International are made with high quality borosilicate glass and include all the hardware necessary for fractional distillation applications. This refines your extracts by removing residual solvents, terpenes, and various Impurities.

5L Short Path Distillation Kit

A newly designed 5L short path from Across International can be utilised for the purification and separation of various liquid substances. This short path distillation kit features high borosilicate 3.3 glass, UL/CSA certified heating mantels, and the highest quality vacuum controls and pumps. These Ai short paths are the best solution for bench-top distillation applications.

10L Short Path Distillation Kit

A 10L short path distillation kit, like in Across International, features a dual neck design for optimal through-put. This is in addition to the standard features of smaller Ai short path distillation systems such as high quality vacuum pumps and controllers, 3.3 borosilicate glass, UL/CSA certified heating or stirring mantels.

Replacement Parts 

From vacuum grease, raschig rings, replacement flasks, distillation heads, vacuum lines, and more, it is important to have your equipement ready especially when you need replacement parts. 

Browse our wide selection of short path distillation accessories and replacement parts. We have a large selection of high-quality parts, all ready to ship the same day! Across International is ready to support our researchers and processors in the field with fast and reliable support.