Principle:
Horizontal Tube Evaporator Uses steam to heat a liquid inside horizontal tubes, causing the solvent to evaporate and leaving a concentrated solution.
Construction:
Shell: A large cylindrical container housing the tubes.
Tubes: Horizontal tubes within the shell where the liquid to be evaporated flows.
Steam Chest: Surrounds the tubes, where steam is introduced.
Vapor Outlet: For removing the evaporated vapor.
Condensate Outlet: For removing condensed steam.
Working:
The liquid to be concentrated is fed into the horizontal tubes.
Steam is introduced into the shell, heating the liquid inside the tubes.
The liquid evaporates, and the vapor is removed through the vapor outlet.
The remaining concentrated liquid exits through a separate outlet.
Uses:
Concentration of solutions in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries.
Used in sugar mills for concentrating sugar solutions.
Merits:
High heat transfer efficiency due to the large surface area.
Suitable for large-scale continuous operations.
Can handle high-viscosity liquids.
Demerits:
Complex construction and maintenance.
Potential for fouling inside the tubes.
Requires careful control to prevent over-concentration and scaling