Buchi vs. Ecodyst: Which Rotary Evaporator...

Rotary evaporators (also known as rotavaps) have a wide range of research and industry applications where there is a need to rapidly remove solvents from samples or concentrate products. Rotary evaporators require a heater to facilitate solvent evaporation and a chiller to cool the solvent vapor for collection or removal. Both Buchi and Ecodyst manufacture rotary evaporators, but they have different designs and target users. Here’s a comparison based on some key aspects:

Technology & Innovation

Buchi: Buchi models utilize traditional rotary evaporation technology, featuring a heated water bath and a condenser cooled by a separate recirculating chiller, typically paired with a glycol-containing coolant.

Ecodyst: Ecodyst systems use an innovative self-cooling metal condenser, which is more efficient and requires no additional cooling fluids. 

The EcoChyll® X9 High-Capacity Evaporation System is the largest capacity, free-standing, complete rotary evaporation system offered by any manufacturer. As with other Ecodyst models, it requires no coolant or separate chiller. The Buchi Rotavapor® R-250 Pro is the largest Buchi rotovap with a maximum flask size of 50L compared to the EcoChyll X9’s 200L.

Speed & Performance

Buchi: Buchi rotary evaporators are reliable and widely used. Speed - both operational and startup - is limited by the dependence on external chillers.

Ecodyst: Ecodyst utilizes a direct-colling system, which offers faster evaporation. Setup time is also significantly less than that of traditional rotovaps with a separate chiller, requiring only a few minutes to reach the set point temperature. A side-by-side comparison of the speed and energy consumption of Ecodyst models with traditional rotovaps is available here. 

Footprint & Space Requirements

Buchi: Buchi rotovaps require multiple components (bath, chiller, vacuum pump), leading to a larger overall footprint. The Buchi R80 is the most compact benchtop model available, with a footprint of only 1.6 square feet (430 x 360 mm). However, a separate recirculating chiller is required, increasing the total space requirements. 

Ecodyst: Ecodyst systems come in various sizes; their all-in-one design reduces total bench space usage. The most compact benchtop option is the Ecodyst Hydrogen Rotary Evaporator, with a footprint of only 1.8 square feet.

Capacity 

Buchi: Buchi rotovaps offer a sample capacity range from 1L up to 25L sample volume. The largest model, the Rotovapor R-250 comes in a 50L size, but because the flasks can only filled roughly halfway, the maximum sample volume is 25L. 

Ecodyst: The Ecodyst has the widest range of rotavap sizes on the market. The 22L EcoChyll® X5 Complete Evaporation System, comparable in capacity to the Buchi Rotavapor® R-250, is only the mid-size instrument. Ecodyst offers all-in-one rotovap systems with capacities ranging from 3 to 200 liters. Due to the design, sample flasks and containers can hold the full volume; therefore, an Ecodyst rotary evaporator with a 50L capacity can hold 50L. 

With a footprint of only 1.8 square feet, the Ecodyst Hydrogen Modern 1H Rotary Evaporator is a compact rotovap with a solvent throughput of up to 3L of ethanol per hour and a maximum flask size of 3L. With a built-in condenser and no need for a separate chiller, the overall footprint is smaller than other options on the market. 

Cost & Maintenance

Buchi: Buchi rotovapor models can incur higher long-term costs due to the maintenance of the chiller and water bath. Additionally, although newer models like the Buchi R80 are more energy-efficient, Buchi models have higher overall energy consumption, partly due to the use of an external heater and chiller. 

Ecodyst: Ecodyst systems have lower maintenance costs since they do not require a chiller or water bath to service and do not require coolant replacement. Ecodyst’s direct cooling system saves energy and reduces operating costs.

Safety 

Buchi: Buchi Rotovaps include safety features such as automatic shutdown for safety cut-offs. Buchi’s EX models (220 EX and 250 EX) are ATEX-approved for use with even the harshest chemicals and are explosion-proof. Additional add-ons, like the explosion-proof vacuum pump, can offer unparalleled safety not available from any other rotary evaporator. 

Ecodyst: Ecodyst rotary evaporators feature an automatic shut-down function when safety cut-offs are reached and are NRTL-certified for US, Canadian, and EU regulations and conform to UL standards 61010-1 and 61010-2-011, as well as CSA standards C22.2 #61010-1 and 61010-2-011. Ecodyst’s large-scale systems also improve safety, user-friendliness, and run-to-run turnaround time by having a drain directly on the evaporating flask. This allows users to remove the residue from the flask without having to handle large, fragile glassware.

Environmental Impact

Buchi: Buchi recommends a mixture of ethylene glycol and water for cooling, which requires proper disposal. Buchi also requires a separate water bath and chiller, resulting in higher overall energy consumption. 

Ecodyst: Ecodyst has no requirement for coolant disposal. Ecodyst models have significantly lower energy consumption than comparably sized models, thanks to their energy-efficient designs and integrated direct cooling system.

Summary

Buchi is an excellent choice if you prefer a traditional, well-established system with more than 50 years of expertise. If you work with harsh chemicals that pose an explosion risk, Buchi EX models offer safety features that are unavailable anywhere else. For labs seeking a rotovap that is more energy-efficient and requires less maintenance, Ecodyst is an excellent solution. Additionally, for applications requiring large volumes or a compact footprint, Ecodyst offers the broadest range of rotovap capacities.