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.
Nozzle High
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
Low
steam into the thermocompressor body. An exchange of momentum occurs as pressure
the steam flows are mixed and the mixed flow is accelerated to high velocity steam
with a uniform profile in the mixing chamber of the thermocompressor.

Mixing
As the mixed flow enters the diffuser section, the diffuser flow area gradually
chamber
increases to allow the velocity of the mixed flow to be reduced. As the velocity
is reduced, the steam pressure increases. At the end of the diffuser, the
Diffuser
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 specific u Minimize high-pressure motive steam use
operating conditions
u Low-cost upgrade to latest jet compressor technology
u Retrofit existing installations without piping
modifications u Wider operating range

u Optimized thermocompressor geometry u Increased energy efficiency

11 470
10.9 423
10.8 376
10.7 329
10.6 282
10.5 235
10.4 188
10.3 141
10.2 94
10.1 47
10 0
Pressure (bar) Velocity (m/s)

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 140
138
In addition to retro-fitting existing steam jet compressors, Kadant also 136
134
provides high-efficiency thermocompressors for improved energy 132
130
utilization. Based on extensive product development, modeling, testing, 128
126
and field applications, Kadant’s high-efficiency thermocompressor offers 124
122
entrainment ratio improvements of up to 25% over conventional steam 120
Pressure [lbf/in2]
jet compressors.

Using advanced computer analysis techniques to model the intricacies of

flow dynamics within the thermocompressor, Kadant custom-engineers its
high-efficiency thermocompressor to optimize the nozzle position, nozzle
Static pressure distribution
shape, and mixing chamber entrance geometry and length. This increases with standard geometry.
the dynamic head entering the diffuser and allows for more pressure
recovery. The result is less motive steam consumption, higher energy 140
138
efficiency, and a wider operating range. 136
134
132
130
When applied to paper drying systems, Kadant incorporates its application 128
126
expertise in paper drying steam systems to properly match the 124
122
thermocompressor to the syphons, separator tanks, flow orifices, and 120
Pressure [lbf/in2]
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: Static pressure distribution
with optimized geometry.
u Increased power generation in combined heat and power plants

u Eliminated steam venting in steam recirculation systems 30

27
24
u Increased range of operations for stable and efficient production 21
18
15
12
9
6
3
0
Standard High-Efficiency
Dynamic Pressure [lbf/in2]
Unit Unit

Booster and recirculating applications ✓ ✓

Retrofit existing installations ✓ ✓ Velocity head in the mixing chamber
with standard geometry.
Match thermocompressor to syphons ✓ ✓
30

✓
27
24
Maximize entrainment ratio 21
18
15

✓
12
Minimize motive steam use 9
6
3
0

CFD flow analysis ✓ Dynamic Pressure [lbf/in2]

Improve system control ✓

Increase electrical generation ✓ Velocity head in the mixing chamber
with optimized geometry.
 Steam Jet Thermocompressors

A B&C Approximate
Size D E F G H Units
ANSI 300# ANSI 150# Weight
5.21 22.97 25.84 50.58 5.42 inches 140 lbs
2˝ 1.0˝ 2.0˝
132 583 656 1285 138 mm 64 kg H D
5.21 26.96 29.83 54.54 5.40 inches 150 lbs
2.5˝ 1.0˝ 2.5˝
132 685 758 1385 137 mm 68 kg
5.75 32.56 35.81 74.61 6.50 inches 240 lbs
3˝ 1.5˝ 3.0˝
146 827 910 1895 165 mm 109 kg
6.31 42.56 46.19 85.61 7.50 inches 285 lbs
4˝ 2.0˝ 4.0˝
160 1081 1173 2174 191 mm 129 kg
6.68 52.12 56.87 96.79 8.06 inches 340 lbs
5˝ 3.0˝ 5.0˝
170 1324 1444 2458 205 mm 154 kg
6.75 61.56 67.37 107.92 8.56 inches 480 lbs
6˝ 4.0˝ 6.0˝
171 1564 1711 2741 217 mm 218 kg A
7.00 78.44 86.06 126.00 9.19 inches 780 lbs (Motive
8˝ 5.0˝ 8.0˝
178 1992 2186 3200 233 mm 354 kg inlet)
B
9.56 98.50 110.49 159.35 14.06 inches 1314 lbs (Suction
10˝ 6.0˝ 10.0˝
243 2502 2807 4048 357 mm 596 kg inlet)
G
11.44 98.50 112.88 166.63 14.06 inches 1414 lbs
10˝ 8.0˝ 10.0˝
291 2502 2867 4232 357 mm 643 kg
11.44 119.75 134.75 185.25 16.56 inches 1700 lbs
12˝ 8.0˝ 12.0˝ F
291 3042 3423 4705 421 mm 773 kg
11.44 133.00 147.69 198.19 19.06 inches 1800 lbs
14˝ 8.0˝ 14.0˝ E
291 3378 3751 5034 484 mm 818 kg
12.56 158.14 182.95 243.89 21.06 inches 2420 lbs
16˝ 10.0˝ 16.0˝
319 4017 4647 6195 535 mm 1100 kg
12.56 178.63 204.45 265.39 23.56 inches 2626 lbs
18˝ 10.0˝ 18.0˝
319 4537 5193 6741 598 mm 1194 kg
14.56 197.80 226.12 288.56 25.74 inches 3281 lbs
20˝ 12.0˝ 20.0˝
370 5024 5743 7329 654 mm 1491 kg
16.06 237.14 268.70 332.14 30.06 inches 4492 lbs
24˝ 14.0˝ 24.0˝
408 6023 6825 8436 764 mm 2042 kg C (Discharge outlet)

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.

Kadant is a leading global supplier

of products and services that
improve productivity and quality in
paper production and other process
industries. For the nearest location
and contact, visit our Website.

www.kadant.com
Contact us:

KADANT JOHNSON INC.

805 Wood Street
Three Rivers, MI 49093 USA

Tel: +1-269-278-1715
Fax: +1-269-279-5980
Email: info@kadant.com

TC-3001 07/2009
replaces Thermocompressor-3000
©2009 Kadant Inc.