Distillation Technology
Distillation Test Facilities at Karlsruhe R&D Center
For the different distillation and rectification systems, various laboratory and pilot plant are available.
Most pilot plants are mobile so that it is also possible to perform tests on our customers' premises. In such a case the plants can be controlled and monitored by a remote control system. As a matter of course, the process data can be recorded and processed electronically.
Our laboratory is designed to determine and analyze important physical characteristics such as viscosity, boiling point elevation, thermal conductivity and dry matter.
Moreover, product compositions can be determined in our analyzing laboratory with GC and HPLC.
We use the latest software and hardware to simulate the operating behaviour of the plants and adapt them to individual customer specifications. The determined process parameters and substance properties are directly used for the design of our plants.
The following pilot plants are available for testing:
- Fermentation plant for continuous fermentation/batch fermentation
- Glass Distillation column DN50 for first evaluations equipped with packed columns or sieve trays with electrical heating
- Glass Distillation column DN100 with stainless steel sieve trays mainly for observation of foaming and treatment of higher viscous products either with direct steam heating or natural circulation evaporator
- Mobile stainless steel column DN250 equipped with random packaging or trays (sieve trays and Thormann trays) and direct steam heating – also heating possibility with existing falling film evaporator (ATEX)
- Stationary random packed column suitable for temperatures up to 300°C with forced circulation evaporator heated with thermal oil
Combination of above stated systems and arrangements of process lines consisting of different technologies (e.g. membrane filtration, distillation, evaporation, centrifuge, decanter, dryer, etc.)
Downloads
Related Products
Dehydration and Purification
Where product purities superior to feasible concentrations through rectification are required, one of these technologies come to operation: Molecular Sieve Technology, Distillation with Entrainer, and Pervaporation through Hydrophilic Membranes.
Skid Mounted Distillation Units
The fabrication of compact skid mounted units for smaller product quantities has several advantages for our client.
Multiple Effect Distillation Plants
The core of the distillation range of products is the multiple-effect pressure/vacuum rectification system. The design is largely determined by the characteristic properties of the feed and the specific requirements of the final product.
Batch Distillation Plants
Batch operated units allow the distillation and rectification of diverse products or multiple component mixtures in one unit. It´s the multi-tasking-master in distillation applications.
GEA Insights
Modern herd management: a smarter way to farm
In a dairy herd, every cow has her own story – and modern herd management tools help tell it. By tracking health, habits and needs, these smart systems let farmers care better, work smarter and keep milk flowing. It's the secret behind happy herds and successful, more sustainable dairy farming.
Feeding the future: The power of freeze-drying innovation
Waste reduction is important to us at GEA, and by harnessing the power of freeze drying technology, we can transform surplus food into valuable, long-lasting products – helping to reduce waste, extend shelf life and build a more resilient food supply for generations to come.
