Chemtech Services, Inc. of Romeoville, IL builds KD series short path stills, including the KDT-6, plus rolled film, falling film and toll distillation.
Chemtech Services, Inc. is a distillation system manufacturer in Romeoville, Illinois, in the Chicago area, that designs short path, rolled film and falling film equipment on its own technology. It serves petrochemical, cannabis and hemp, and specialty chemical customers, and runs toll distillation from Romeoville for companies that are not ready to buy a unit.
Cannabis operators know Chemtech for the KD series of short path systems, including the KDT-6. Every KD unit uses a roller wiper that spreads feed into a thin film on the evaporator wall by centrifugal force, which is why the company describes the process as short path wiped film distillation. Urth & Fyre lists used Chemtech units when operators sell and sources new systems on request.
Chemtech publishes evaporator area and throughput for each KD model on its short path distillation systems page:
Chemtech states its continuous roller units reach ultimate pressures of 0.001 mbar. Beyond short path, the company builds RF series rolled film systems with external condensers, a two stage FFE falling film system and DC series decarboxylation systems with 50 L vessels.
The glass Mini-4, Mini-5 and KDL-6 suit method development and small batch work. Chemtech lists the KDL-6 with feed, evaporator, residue and condenser circulators, a cold trap circulator and a 6 position sample carousel.
The KDT-6 moves to a 316 stainless evaporator, which Chemtech says allows higher throughput through better heat transfer, at 3.0 L/hr on the same 0.06 m² area as the KDL-6. Two stage units run a second pass in one frame.
The KD-10 through KD300 cover multistage production. Chemtech's toll lab runs three stage KD-10, KD-30 and KD-150 systems rated at 15, 45 and 225 kg/hr, which gives a way to test your crude before committing capital. See the Chemtech toll distillation page for its analytical capabilities.
Short path, rolled film and falling film each fit a different feed. Chemtech positions rolled film for medium to large essential oil producers and short path wiped film for temperature sensitive oils and waxes, while its falling film unit pairs a falling film evaporator with a rolling film stage at 400 L/hr. Compared with a boiling flask short path kit, a KD unit feeds continuously from a heated feed tank through a gear pump, so throughput is set by feed rate rather than flask size.
If you are deciding between a wiped film evaporator and a short path unit for cannabis, our post on WFE vs SPD throughput, yield and resale value walks through a three year cost model, and the Distillation Equipment Guide covers the full train.
Urth & Fyre lists a two stage KDT-6 built in 2018 and located in Nevada. The seller reports that a factory authorized CTS certified technician serviced and upgraded the unit, replaced all consumable parts, and prepaid one full day of on site or virtual service for the buyer. The listing gives dimensions of 129 x 27.25 x 76 inches and a weight of 2,400 lb.
Review the Chemtech two stage KDT-6 listing for condition and pricing, or request a quote on a new Chemtech system sized to your crude volume.
Where is Chemtech Services located?
Chemtech Services, Inc. is located at 20648 Gaskin Dr, Romeoville, Illinois, in the Chicago area. The company designs and builds short path, rolled film and falling film distillation systems there and runs toll distillation services from the same site. Urth & Fyre lists used Chemtech units from Las Vegas and sources new systems.
What is the throughput of a Chemtech KDT-6?
Chemtech rates the KDT-6 and two stage KDT-6 at 3.0 L/hr on a 0.06 m² evaporator made of 316 stainless steel. The glass KDL-6 has the same evaporator area but is rated at 1.5 L/hr. Actual throughput depends on crude quality, devolatilization, temperatures and how many passes your process needs.
What is the difference between a KDL-6 and a KDT-6?
The KDL-6 uses a borosilicate glass evaporator and suits laboratory work, while the KDT-6 uses a 316 stainless evaporator that Chemtech says allows higher throughput through better heat transfer. Both have a 0.06 m² evaporator. Chemtech rates the KDL-6 at 1.5 L/hr and the KDT-6 at 3.0 L/hr.
Is Chemtech short path the same as wiped film distillation?
Chemtech's KD series is short path wiped film distillation. Rollers spread the feed into an even thin film on the evaporator wall by centrifugal force, and the condenser sits close to that wall so vapor travels a short distance. Chemtech also builds separate rolled film systems with external condensers and falling film systems.
Does Chemtech offer toll distillation?
Yes. Chemtech offers toll distillation at hourly and per pound rates from Romeoville, Illinois, on three stage KD-10, KD-30 and KD-150 systems rated at 15, 45 and 225 kg/hr. The lab lists GC-MS, GC-FID, HPLC and Karl Fischer testing. It is a practical way to test crude before buying equipment.
Can I buy a used Chemtech KDT-6?
Yes. Urth & Fyre lists a two stage Chemtech KDT-6 built in 2018 and located in Nevada. The seller reports factory authorized service, replaced consumables and one prepaid day of technician support for the buyer. Run a vacuum and heating test before purchase and confirm the feed pump and roller wiper condition.