Practical Operation Process of Rotary Evaporator

Rotary evaporator, also called rotary evaporating device, is a commonly used equipment in laboratories. It consists of motor, distillation flask, heating pot, condenser, etc., and is mainly used for continuous distillation of volatile solvents under reduced pressure, which is widely applied in chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedicine and other fields. Rotary evaporator, as a commonly used evaporation purification instrument in the laboratory, also has a set of strict operating methods. The following is the practical operation process of the rotary evaporator.
 
I. Setting
1. Choose a measuring flask with a capacity approximately twice the initial capacity.
2. Choose an impact trap to reduce sample loss due to impact or violent boiling. It is better  to use a vacuum pump system.
3. Select and connect a vacuum pump to make the vacuum meet the requirements and be compatible with the specific solvent vapor.
4. Choose a suitable temperature for the water bath. The lower the temperature, the slower the processing speed, but it will also reduce the possibility of impact or damage to the sample due to overheating.
 
II. Start rotary evaporation
1. Turn on the cooler to make the temperature reach the set value.
2. Turn on the water bath and make it reach the set point before starting to evaporate.
3. Fix the evaporating flask with clamps. Unless you have full confidence, do not rely on vacuum to fix the evaporating flask.
4. Start rotating the flask, and the rotating speed should be fast enough to form a uniform coating on the inner surface of the flask.
5. Turn on the vacuum pump, close the plug valve on the condenser, and rotate the sample in vacuum for about 1 minute. The sample can start to boil. If the sample starts to boil vigorously or boil, it requires the system to vent and adjust the vacuum set point.
6. Once the boiling stops and the solvent accumulates in the solvent collector, the flask drops to half a hot tub.
7. Because the pump has fast and accurate response ability, it is better to control the production process by adjusting the vacuum degree.
 
III. Stop rotary evaporation
1. Lift the flask from the hot tub.
2. Open the plug valve on the condenser to let the system vent into the atmosphere.
3. Turn off rotation.
4. Turn off the vacuum power supply.
5. Take out the evaporating flask, then take out the solvent collection flask and empty it.
6. Turn off the water bath and cooler.