2014 Evaporators Survey Results
Rotary evaporators have for decades been staples in labs and industries performing chemistry, including labs in the chemical, environmental, materials, life science and forensics industries. Key applications include sample concentration, solvent recycling, extractions, and separation of solvent mixtures.
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Written byTrevor Henderson, PhD | 2 min read
Rotary evaporators have for decades been staples in labs and industries performing chemistry, including labs in the chemical, environmental, materials, life science and forensics industries. Key applications include sample concentration, solvent recycling, extractions, and separation of solvent mixtures.
Top 5 Questions You Should Ask When Buying an Evaporator System
- What are your sample sizes? Microtiter plates and micro centrifuge tubes work best in a centrifugal vacuum concentrator. For large samples up to 450mls, a vortex evaporator is recommended.
- What are your samples? Acids require an acid resistant system. Solvents damage plastic and rubber components; an appropriate system to prevent damage is recommended. A -50°C cold trap is ideal for aqueous based samples, a -85°C cold trap traps most solvents and a -105°C cold trap is recommended for alcohols.
- Are your samples heat sensitive? Even at ambient set point, vacuum concentrators add heat through friction. A concentrator that has refrigeration built into it will give you the temperature control recommended to maintain the viability of heat liable samples.
- Do you have limited space? A floor model with casters or small all-in-one benchtop model can be moved out of the way when not in use.
- Do you prefer vacuum evaporation or nitrogen blow down? Some samples require evaporation under nitrogen (which is more gentle) for volatile solvents.
Primary evaporator application(s) as reported by survey respondents:
| Concentration of substances | 26% |
| Distilling of low-boiling solvents | 19% |
| Extractions | 12% |
| Distilling of temperature-sensitive substances under vacuum | 11% |
| Drying of powders | 10% |
| Separation of material mixtures | 10% |
| Recycling of solvent waste | 8% |
| Distilling of oxygen-sensitive substances under inert gas | 3% |
| Chemical synthesis under reflux | 1% |
Rotary evaporator components used by survey respondents:
| Condensate trap | 14% |
| Diaphragm pump | 13% |
| Recirculating cooler | 13% |
| Vertical condenser | 13% |
| Digital bath | 12% |
| Chiller | 11% |
| Dry ice condenser | 7% |
| Diagonal condenser | 6% |
| Reflux condenser | 5% |
| Cold finger condenser | 4% |
| Other | 1% |
Nearly 37% of respondents plan on purchasing a new evaporator in the next year. The estimated budget ranges for these purchases are as follows:
 | Less than $2,500 |  |
 | $2,500 to $3,500 |
 | $3,500 to $5,000 |
 | $5,000+ |
Top 10 features/factors respondents look for when purchasing an evaporator:
| Safety | 73% |
| Low maintenance/easy to clean | 71% |
| Price | 67% |
| Reliability | 65% |
| Ease of use | 63% |
| Built-in vacuum controller | 61% |
| Low operating cost of ownership | 61% |
| Warranty | 57% |
| Service and support | 55% |
| Ease of installation | 49% |
For more information on evaporators, including useful articles and a list of manufacturers, visit www.labmanager.com/evaporators
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