What are Functions of a Rotary Evaporator Condenser?

A rotary evaporator (rotovap or rotavap) is to a type of laboratory equipment for solvent evaporation under reduced pressure, which is mainly composed of a vacuum system, a heated water or oil bath, a condenser and a motor. All of them play an essential role in the working of a rotary evaporator. What the most important among them is the rotary evaporator condenser. So what are functions of a rotary evaporator condenser? In the following, its functions will be specifically introduced.

Definition of Condenser

Before learning about the functions of the rotary evaporator condenser, let’s talk about what a condenser is. The condenser is an experimental device that contributes to condensation, which can condense steam to liquid at a pressure less than atmosphere. The main function is that condensation or reflux. It is usually composed of two glass tubes (one is inside and the other is outside), with the smaller glass tube running through the larger glass tube.

Types of Condenser

There are many kinds of condensers, such as the reflux condensate tube, straight condensate pipe, coiled condenser, air condenser, spherical condenser, double plug condenser and other types. The rotary evaporator of our company adopts a serpentine condensate tube, which is available in both vertical and oblique styles. The vertical type saves experimental space. The serpentine condenser is suitable for liquids with a lower boiling point. The serpentine design has a large condensation area and higher condensation efficiency.

Functions of a Rotary Evaporator Condenser

A rotary evaporator condenser refers to the condenser used in a rotary evaporator. The condensate tube is usually used on a flask for testing under reflux conditions or on a distilling flask for collecting condensed liquid. The condensation of steam occurs on the inner wall of the internal tube. The space enclosed by the internal and external tubes is the water zone, which can absorb steam heat and remove it. There is usually a high water pressure at the water inlet. In order to prevent the water pipe from falling off, the plastic pipe should be tied tightly. When used in a reflux state, the lower end of the condensate tube is inserted with a rubber stopper so as to be inserted into the mouth of the flask to receive the steam evaporated upward in the flask.

The rotary steaming is carried out by constant temperature control of the liquid, and the vaporized gas is returned to the condensing device, converted to a liquid after constant temperature cooling, and finally returned to the receiving flask. Among them, the condensate tube of a rotary evaporator plays an important role. The gas is returned to the condensate flask. If there is a leak at the interface of the condensate flask, it will directly affect the reaction of gas. Although the overall temperature of the condensate flask is controlled by constant temperature, the concentration of the condensate flask structure itself will be affected as well. The condensate flask unit is an important step in the gas conversion. If there is a problem with the condensate flask unit, it will directly affect the purity of the liquid in the final recovery.

What is the Function of a Rotary Evaporator?

A rotary evaporator is used to extract solvents from liquid mixtures by evaporation in chemical, biochemical and other fields. What’s more, people can also use a rotary evaporator to separate or concentrate substances or materials.