Thermocompressors

Engineered for efficiency

Recirculating and booster

thermocompressor
applications.

Energy-efficient steam jet compressors.

Thermocompressors
Kadant steam jet thermocompressors are designed to recirculate steam or
boost lower-pressure steam for reuse in a variety of process applications in pulp
and paper, petrochemical, food processing, desalination, and specialty chemical
production.

How thermocompressors work

Actuator
Thermocompressors are designed to accurately mix lower-pressure steam with
higher-pressure steam. The higher-pressure motive steam entrains the lower-
pressure steam and increases its pressure. High
pressure
Low
steam
The motive steam is introduced through the nozzle of the thermocompressor. pressure
As the nozzle opens, the high velocity motive steam draws the lower-pressure steam Nozzle
steam into the thermocompressor body. An exchange of momentum occurs as
the steam flows are mixed and the mixed flow is accelerated to high velocity
Mixing
with a uniform profile in the mixing chamber of the thermocompressor. chamber

As the mixed flow enters the diffuser section, the diffuser flow area gradually
increases to allow the velocity of the mixed flow to be reduced. As the velocity Diffuser
is reduced, the steam pressure increases. At the end of the diffuser, the
discharge steam pressure is higher than the lower-pressure suction flow
entering the thermocompressor.

Discharge

Features Benefits
u Computational fluid dynamics used to model flow u Entrainment efficiency improvements up to 25%
characteristics compared to conventional designs
u Nozzle and mixing chamber are sized based on u Minimise high-pressure motive steam use
specific operating conditions
u Low-cost upgrade to latest jet compressor
u Retrofit existing installations without piping technology
modifications
u Wider operating range
u Optimised thermocompressor geometry
u Increased energy efficiency

2,00 1000
1,94 923
1,88 846
1,83 769
1,77 692
1,71 615
1,65 538
1,60 462
1,54 385
1,48 308
1,42 231
1,37
154
1,31 Pressure [bar]
1,25 Cut Plot 1: contours 77 Velocity [m/s]
0 Cut Plot 1: contours

As the motive jet accelerates the suction flow, a low pressure The motive flow is accelerated at the nozzle and a high
region is created at the entrance to the mixing chamber. As velocity jet is created. The jet transfers momentum to the
the flow moves along the mixing chamber, pressure rises. At suction flow and accelerates it as the two flows mix.
the diffuser, velocity decreases and pressure rises.
High-efficiency thermocompressors
In addition to retro-fitting existing steam jet compressors, Standard High-Efficiency
Unit Unit
Kadant also provides high-efficiency thermocompressors for
Booster and recirculating
improved energy utilisation. Based on extensive product ✓ ✓
applications
development, modeling, testing, and field applications,
Retrofit existing installations ✓ ✓
Kadant’s high-efficiency thermocompressor offers entrainment
ratio improvements of up to 25% over conventional steam Match thermocompressor to
✓ ✓
syphons
jet compressors.
Maximise entrainment ratio ✓
Using advanced computer analysis techniques to model the
intricacies of flow dynamics within the thermocompressor, Minimise motive steam use ✓
Kadant custom-engineers its high-efficiency thermocompressor
CFD flow analysis ✓
to optimise the nozzle position, nozzle shape, and mixing
chamber entrance geometry and length. This increases the Improve system control ✓
dynamic head entering the diffuser and allows for more
pressure recovery. The result is less motive steam consumption, Increase electrical generation ✓
higher energy efficiency, and a wider operating range.

When applied to paper drying systems, Kadant incorporates its

application expertise in paper drying steam systems to
properly match the thermocompressor to the syphons,
separator tanks, flow orifices, and pipelines to ensure correct
thermocompressor design and performance.

High-efficiency thermocompressors that are properly

integrated with the steam system and process equipment can
provide significant improvements in energy conservation,
including:
u Increased power generation in combined heat and
power plants
H D
u Eliminated steam venting in steam recirculation systems
u Increased range of operations for stable and efficient
production

Steam Jet Thermocompressors

Suction/Discharge
Motive (A*) Approximate
Size (B* & C*) D E F G H Units A
DIN 2635 Weight
DIN 2633 (Motive
2˝ DN25 PN40 DN50 PN16
B inlet)
132 583 656 1285 138 mm 64 kg
(Suction
2,5˝ DN25 PN40 DN65 PN16 132 685 758 1385 137 mm 68 kg inlet) F
3˝ DN40 PN40 DN80 PN16 146 827 910 1895 165 mm 109 kg
G
4˝ DN50 PN40 DN100 PN16 160 1081 1173 2174 191 mm 129 kg E
5˝ DN80 PN40 DN125 PN16 170 1324 1444 2458 205 mm 154 kg
6˝ DN100 PN40 DN150 PN16 171 1564 1711 2741 217 mm 218 kg
8˝ DN125 PN40 DN200 PN16 178 1992 2186 3200 233 mm 354 kg
10˝ DN200 PN40 DN250 PN16 243 2502 2807 4048 357 mm 596 kg
12˝ DN200 PN40 DN300 PN16 291 3042 3423 4705 421 mm 773 kg
14˝ DN200 PN40 DN350 PN16 291 3378 3751 5034 484 mm 818 kg
16˝ DN250 PN40 DN400 PN16 319 4017 4647 6195 535 mm 1100 kg
18˝ DN250 PN40 DN500 PN16 319 4537 5193 6741 598 mm 1194 kg
20˝ DN300 PN40 DN500 PN16 370 5024 5743 7329 654 mm 1491 kg
24˝ DN350 PN40 DN600 PN16 408 6023 6825 8436 764 mm 2042 kg

Dimensions shown are for standard design. High-efficiency thermocompressors are custom-engineered and
dimensions provided above are for reference only. Dimensions are subject to change without notice.
*Other / special connections possible upon request. C (Discharge outlet)
 Thermocompressor Sizing

The following charts can be used to estimate the size of a Calculate the motive and discharge (total) steam flow rates
thermocompressor. The size is based on the motive, suction, from the Entrainment ratio R:
and discharge steam pressures and the required steam flow. Motive steam flow rate = Mm = Ms / R = (9.000 / 1,5) =
The following parameters are used for these estimates: 6.000 kg/hr
P = Atmospheric pressure (absolute) = 1 bar (typical)
Pm = Motive steam pressure (absolute) = gauge pressure + Discharge (total) steam flow rate = Md = Mm + Ms = 6.000 +
atmospheric pressure 9.000 = 15.000 kg/hr
Ps = Suction steam pressure (absolute) = gauge pressure +
atmospheric pressure Determine the size of the thermocompressor using the
Pd = Discharge steam pressure (absolute) = gauge pressure Discharge (total) steam flow rate and the Discharge steam
+ atmospheric pressure pressure and the Sizing Table underneath:
Mm = Motive steam flow rate For this example, the thermocompressor size = 12"
Ms = Suction steam flow rate
Md = Discharge (total) steam flow rate = Mm + Ms Note: Consult Kadant Johnson for optimum sizing and
E = Expansion ratio = Pm / Ps (should be over 1,4) thermocompressor performance curves.
C = Compression ratio = Pd / Ps (normally less than 1,8)*
R = Entrainment ratio = Ms / Mm ( * ) For higher compression ratios, please contact Kadant
Johnson.
Sizing Example Thermocompressor Entrainment
Operating Parameters: 8,0
Pm = Motive steam pressure = 5,9 barg + 1 bar = 6,9 bar E = Pm / Ps = 20
7,0 E = Pm / Ps = 10
R = Entrainment Ratio = Ms / Mm

Ps = Suction steam pressure = 0,35 barg + 1 bar = 1,35 bar E = Pm / Ps = 5,0

E = Pm / Ps = 2,5
Pd = Discharge steam pressure = 0,75 barg + 1 bar = 6,0 E = Pm / Ps = 1,67
1,75 bar
5,0
Ms = Suction steam flow rate = 9.000 kg/hr
4,0

Calculate Ratios: 3,0

E = Expansion ratio = Pm / Ps = 6,9 / 1,35 = 5,1
C = Compression ratio = Pd / Ps = 1,75 / 1,35 = 1,3 2,0

1,0
Use these ratios and the sizing graph underneath to
0,0
determine entrainment ratio R: 1,0 1,1 1,2 1,3 1,4 1,5 1,6 1,7 1,8
R = Entrainment ratio = 1,5 C = Compression Ratio = Pd / Ps

Thermocompressor Sizing Table

Nominal Pd = TCX Discharge Steam Pressure (barg)

Size 0 0,5 1,0 2,0 3,0 5,0 7,5 10,0 16,0
(inch) Md = Discharge Steam Flow Rate (kg/h)
1" 30 40 50 80 110 160 220 280 430
1,5" 80 120 160 230 310 450 630 810 1.200 Kadant is a global supplier of
2" 160 240 310 450 600 870 1.200 1.500 2.300 high-value, critical components and
engineered systems used in process
2,5" 260 390 510 740 980 1.400 1.900 2.500 3.800
industries worldwide.
3" 460 680 890 1.300 1.700 2.400 3.400 4.400 6.700
4" 980 1.400 1.800 2.700 3.500 5.200 7.200 9.300 14.100 www.kadant.com
5" 1.600 2.400 3.200 4.600 6.100 8.900 12.400 16.000 24.200
6" 2.400 3.500 4.600 6.700 8.800 12.900 18.000 23.100 34.900 Contact us:
8" 4.200 6.100 8.000 11.700 15.300 22.400 31.200 40.000 60.500
10" 6.600 9.700 12.600 18.500 24.200 35.400 49.100 63.000 95.400 KADANT JOHNSON EUROPE B.V.
Postbus 68
12" 9.500 13.900 18.100 26.500 34.700 50.800 70.500 90.400 136.000
1380 AB Weesp
14" 11.600 16.900 22.100 32.300 42.300 61.900 85.900 110.000 166.000
The Netherlands
16" 15.400 22.400 29.300 42.800 56.000 82.000 113.000 146.000 221.000
Tel: +31 294 494200
18" 19.700 28.700 37.600 54.800 71.700 105.000 145.000 186.000 282.000
Fax: +31 294 431359
20" 24.500 35.700 46.600 68.100 89.000 130.000 180.000 232.000 350.000
custserv.weesp@kadant.com
22" 29.900 43.600 57.000 83.200 108.000 159.000 221.000 283.000 429.000
24" 35.900 52.200 68.300 99.600 130.000 190.000 264.000 339.000 513.000
26" 42.300 61.600 80.500 117.000 153.000 225.000 312.000 400.000 605.000
28" 49.300 71.800 93.800 136.000 179.000 262.000 363.000 466.000 705.000
30" 56.800 82.700 108.000 157.000 206.000 302.000 419.000 537.000 813.000
32" 64.800 94.400 123.000 180.000 235.000 344.000 478.000 613.000 928.000
34" 73.400 106.000 139.000 203.000 266.000 390.000 541.000 694.000 1.050.000
Thermocompressors-3003 (BR EN) 05/2014
36" 82.500 120.000 157.000 229.000 299.000 438.000 608.000 780.000 1.180.000
Replaces: Thermocompressors-3002
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