The ChemTech Dual Stage Stainless Steel KDT-6 Wiped Film Distillation System is a sophisticated piece of equipment designed for the separation and purification of various compounds, particularly those that are heat-sensitive or have high boiling points.  Here’s a breakdown of its likely description and key features:

**General Description:**

The ChemTech Dual Stage Stainless Steel KDT-6 is a laboratory or pilot-scale wiped film distillation system. It’s characterized by its dual-stage design, meaning it has two separate wiped film evaporators operating in series. This configuration allows for more efficient separation and potentially higher purity of the desired product. The construction from stainless steel makes it durable, corrosion-resistant, and suitable for processing a wide range of materials. The “KDT-6” likely refers to a specific model or size designation within ChemTech’s product line, indicating a particular throughput capacity or heated surface area.

**Key Features and Components:**

Based on the name and typical wiped film distillation systems, here are the likely key features and components:

* **Dual Stage Operation:** This is the defining feature. It consists of two wiped film evaporators connected in series.

    * **Stage 1 (First Evaporator):** Typically used for initial separation, removing lighter fractions or bulk solvent. It might operate at a higher temperature or different vacuum level than the second stage.

    * **Stage 2 (Second Evaporator):** Processes the concentrate from the first stage, achieving further separation and purification of the desired product. It often operates under deeper vacuum to lower boiling points.

* **Wiped Film Evaporators:** Each stage utilizes a wiped film evaporator (also known as a thin film evaporator or short path evaporator).

    * **Heated Jacket:** The main body of the evaporator is surrounded by a jacket through which a heating medium (like hot oil or water) circulates to provide heat for vaporization.

    * **Rotor with Wipers:** A rotating shaft with blades (wipers) is located inside the evaporator. These wipers continuously spread the feed material into a thin film on the heated wall. This thin film is crucial for efficient heat transfer and minimizes residence time, protecting heat-sensitive compounds.

    * **Internal Condenser:** A condenser is typically located inside the evaporator body, directly opposite the heated wall. This allows vapors to condense quickly and minimize the distance they travel, which is particularly important for high-boiling point compounds.

* **Stainless Steel Construction:** The entire system, including evaporators, piping, and receiving flasks, is made from stainless steel (likely 304 or 316 grade). This provides:

    * **Corrosion Resistance:** Suitable for handling various chemicals.

    * **Durability:** Robust and long-lasting.

    * **Cleanability:** Easy to clean and sterilize, important for sensitive applications.

* **Vacuum System:** A robust vacuum system (typically a vacuum pump with cold traps) is essential for lowering the boiling points of compounds and enabling distillation at lower temperatures. The dual-stage design might allow for different vacuum levels in each stage.

* **Feed System:** A mechanism for introducing the feed material into the first evaporator. This could be a peristaltic pump, gear pump, or gravity feed.

* **Collection Vessels:** Multiple receiving flasks or containers are used to collect the different fractions:

    * **Residue/Bottoms:** The non-volatile material left behind in the evaporators.

    * **Distillate 1:** The condensed product from the first stage.

    * **Distillate 2:** The condensed product from the second stage (the purified product).

* **Heating/Cooling Systems:** Circulators or baths are needed to control the temperature of the heated jackets and the condensers.

* **Instrumentation and Controls:** Temperature sensors, pressure gauges, vacuum gauges, and potentially flow meters are included for monitoring and controlling the process parameters. A control panel is typically provided for operation.

* **Support Structure:** A sturdy frame or stand to support the entire system.

**Likely Applications:**

The ChemTech Dual Stage Stainless Steel KDT-6 is likely used in various applications, including:

* **Cannabis/Hemp Processing:** Purification of cannabinoids (THC, CBD) from crude extracts.

* **Essential Oil Distillation:** Separation and purification of essential oils.

* **Fine Chemical Production:** Purification of heat-sensitive or high-boiling point chemicals.

* **Pharmaceuticals:** Purification of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

* **Food and Beverage:** Concentration and purification of flavor compounds or extracts.

* **Research and Development:** Studying distillation processes and separating new compounds.

**Benefits of a Dual Stage System:**

* **Improved Purity:** The second stage can further purify the distillate from the first stage, leading to a higher-quality product.

* **Increased Throughput:** By separating the process into two stages, the system can handle larger volumes of feed material more efficiently.

* **Flexibility:** Allows for optimization of process parameters (temperature, vacuum) for each stage to achieve specific separation goals.

* **Better Separation of Complex Mixtures:** Can be more effective at separating mixtures with closely boiling components.

**In summary, the ChemTech Dual Stage Stainless Steel KDT-6 Wiped Film Distillation System is a high-performance, versatile system designed for the efficient and gentle separation and purification of sensitive and high-boiling point compounds, offering enhanced purity and throughput compared to single-stage systems.**