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Recycling Sciences - Solvent Recovery
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Distillation is a method of separation of substances based on differences in their volatilities. In this perticular incident we are referring to solvent recovery as the purpose for the distillation.
The device used in distillation is referred to as a still and consists at a minimum of a reboiler or pot in which the source material is heated, a condenser in which the heated vapor is cooled back to the liquid state, and a receiver in which the concentrated or purified liquid is collected.
Vacuum distillation is a method of distillation whereby the pressure above the solution to be distilled is reduced to less than one Atmosphere (unit) causing evaporation of the most volatile liquid(s) (those with the lowest boiling points). Vacuum distillation is used with or without heating the solution; some distillation processes use both vacuum and thermal action.
Vacuum distillation works on the principle that boiling occurs when the vapor pressure of a liquid exceeds the ambient pressure (atmospheric pressure above it or pressure in the distillation apparatus.) The process is used when liquids to be distilled have high atmospheric boiling points or chemically change at temperatures near their atmospheric boiling points. Temperature sensitive materials such as complex caratenoids (Beta Carotene) also require vacuum distillation to remove solvents from the mixture while at the same time not damaging the product.
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Product Spotlight - Recycling Sciences Solvent Recovery Stills
14 Gallon Portable Continuous Flow Solvent Recovery Distillation System
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| Technical Information
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| The Recycling Sciences RSI-14 CF, has a 14 gallon (53 liters) tank capacity with a float valve and contaminated solvent entry tube installed. As the solvent distills through the condenser, controls sense the lowered level of undistilled solvent remaining in the tank and activate pumps for refilling. Like all RSI systems, the RSI-14 CF is designed to be durable, portable, simple to operate and safe. It is the only 14 gallon portable, continuous flow solvent distillation system manufactured today. It will distill, on a continuous basis, all of a customers lightly contaminated solvent without shutting down. When all solvent in the feed lines has been distilled, the RSI-14 CF shuts off, automatically. And like all RSI systems, the RSI-14 CF is designed with intrinsically safe electronic controls.
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| Simple: The RSI-14 CF is "Operator Friendly" and as easy to use as other RSI systems. The operator connects the fill line to the pump of his dirty solvent supply, sets the solvent distillation temperature according to the product to be recovered, places the clean product vacuum tank in place, presses the start button and walks away. The water re-circulator is automatic, the system operates unattended and shuts off automatically when completed. The process monitor has a color-coded face plate with suggested process temperature ranges in plain English. Except for keeping the system clean, there is no periodic maintenance. However, the operator must be certain that the capacity of the vacuum tank exceeds the capacity of the contaminated solvent reservoir.
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| Safe: The 3.5KW, 240 Volt heater operates in an oil jacket, eliminating 'hot spots'. Solvent distillation is controlled by low-voltage, 'Intrinsically Safe' solid state electronics. High voltage components are all housed in exposed NEMA-rated explosion proof housings, and the distillation process is supervised by three thermocouples. All other controls are air powered, explosion proof solenoids. Finally, an over temperature breaker in the heater halts the process in case thermal control is lost.
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Features:
- intrinsically Safe electrical design
- Cart mounted for easy portability
- Rugged, all stainless construction
- 30' cord, 240 Volt Circuitry and heater
- Fast Solvent recovery rate
- Simple to Operate - two button operation
- Explosion proof design
- Automatic operation: Unattended system shut-off at completion
- Includes Vacuum System
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Fast: The RSI-14CF has a 3.5KW 240 Volt electric heater for fast, safe solvent recycling. That size heater quickly heats the heat transfer oil in the oil jacket causing the solvent to rapidly reach its vapor point. A water-cooled tube-in-tube condenser provides the most efficient and reliable condensing system available, making the entire system maintenance-free. A water chiller is available as an accessory for extra high temperature applications.
Versatile: Like other RSI systems, the RSI-14 CF is truly portable. It is mounted on its own stainless cart and can be simply rolled from one department to another. This system is often used in various departments of facilities to recycle different solvents. And a 30 foot (10 meter) power cord is provided to make connection in each location easy. (Warning: Users are cautioned to provide adequate ventilation so as to not create an explosive atmosphere around the wall plug connection or the cooling water re-circulator)
Economical: The RSI-14 CF pays for itself quickly. Recycling on-site AND getting the solvents back for reuse increases profits. With the price of solvents going ever upward, you don't have to be an accountant to figure out that the purchase and use of an RSI-14 CF results in a very quick payback to the purchaser.
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