Types of evaporators

The types of evaporators are as follows : Jacketed batch pan evaporators Natural circulation evaporators Forced circulation evaporators Agitated thin film evaporators Horizontal tube evaporators Vertical tube evaporators Basket type evaporators

Jacketed batch pan evaporator

It is the simplest method of concentrating liquors by use of jacketed pans , where steam is used in the jacket to drive off excess moisture. Useful when small quantities are to be handled. If instead of a jacketed pan , a jacketed vertical cylinder with an agitator is used then the evaporation can be improved.

 A flat-blade type vertical turbine agitator is located centrallywith a clearence of about 1mm or less from the wall. The agitator is driven by a driving system at the top The feed enters at the top of evaporating section and flows down the walls.While it moves down it is vapourised ,the concentrated liquid being discharged at the bottom of the evaporator. These evaporators are most versatile and are able to handle viscous,heat sensitive feeds. Expensive and need considerable maintainance.

Natural circulation evaporators

Evaporation by natural circulation is achieved through the use of a short tube bundle within the batch pan or by having an external shell and tube heater outside of the main vessel. The external heater has the advantage that its size is not dependent upon the size or shape of the vessel itself. As a result larger evaporation capacities may be obtained. The most common application for this type of unit is a reboiler at the base of distillation column.

Forced circulation evaporators

These evaporators are similar to vertical tube evaporators , excapt that a centrifugal pump is placed between the external downtake from the vapour drum and the inlet to the tube bundle. Due to high velocities and consequently high rates of heat transfer,less heating surface is required.

 The liquor which emerges from the heating element at high velocities is directed in the vapour drum ,where the vapour is separated from the liquid. The vapour drum may be either a separate drum or is located at the top of the tube bundle. Forced circulation may not be as economical in operation as natural convection evaporators,but they are necessary where the concentration problem involves a solution with poor flow charateristics.

Agitated thin film evaporators

These evaporators are used for concentration of very viscous materials and the stripping of solvents down to very low levels. Feed is introduced at the top of the evaporator and is spread by wiper blades on to the vertical cylindrical surface inside the unit. Evaporation of the solvent takes place as the thin film moves down the evaporator wall. The heating medium normally is high pressure steam or oil.

 A high temperature heating medium generally is necessary to obtain a reasonable evaporation rate. This is because heat transfer surface available is small as a direct result of its cylindrical configuration.

Plate type evaporators

The principle of operation for the plate type evaporator involves the use of a number of plate packs or units, each consisting of two steam plates and two product plates. These are hung in a frame which resembles that of a plate heat exchanger. The first product passage is a rising pass and the second, a falling pass. The steam plates, meanwhile, are arranged alternately between each product passage.

Basket type evaporators