A Forced Circulation Evaporator (FCE) is a specialized system designed to concentrate solutions or suspensions by evaporating the solvent. It uses a pump to circulate the liquid at high velocity through heat exchanger tubes, ensuring efficient heat transfer and preventing scaling or fouling. This system is ideal for handling viscous, heat-sensitive, or crystallizing materials.

How It Works

1. Liquid Circulation: The liquid feed is pumped at high velocity through the heat exchanger tubes to prevent boiling on the tube surfaces.
2. Heat Transfer: Steam or hot water heats the liquid indirectly, causing the solvent to evaporate.
3. Vapor-Liquid Separation: The heated liquid enters a vapor separator, where the vapor is separated from the concentrated liquid.
4. Concentration: The remaining liquid becomes more concentrated as the solvent evaporates.
5. Discharge: The concentrated liquid is collected, while the vapor is removed for further processing or condensation.

Distinct Features of Forced Circulation Evaporators

1. High Heat Transfer Efficiency: The forced circulation ensures rapid and uniform heat transfer.
2. Handles Viscous Materials: Suitable for thick or sticky solutions.
3. Prevents Scaling: High velocity prevents deposits on tube surfaces.
4. Continuous Operation: Ideal for large-scale industrial applications.
5. Customizable Design: Adaptable to specific industry needs.

Unique Operating Conditions

• Vacuum Operation: Can operate under vacuum for low-temperature evaporation, making it suitable for heat-sensitive materials.
•  Multi-Effect Setup: Can be integrated into multi-effect systems, where vapor from one stage is reused in subsequent stages, improving energy efficiency.

Common Challenges Addressed by FCEs

1. Fouling: High velocity minimizes fouling, ensuring longer operational cycles without frequent cleaning.
2. Viscous Liquids: Performs well with thick or sticky liquids, maintaining efficiency in demanding applications.
3. Crystallization: Effectively handles crystallizing solutions, ensuring consistent operation.

Applications

• Pharmaceuticals: Concentrating thermolabile substances like insulin and liver extracts.
• Food Industry: Processing syrups, tomato paste, and fruit pulp.
• Chemical Industry: Concentrating chemical solutions and handling corrosive liquids.
• Effluent Treatment: Treating wastewater and recovering valuable components.

Key Benefits

• High Efficiency: Optimized heat transfer and reduced energy usage.
• Gentle Processing: Preserves the quality of heat-sensitive materials.
• Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of liquids, including viscous and crystallizing solutions.
• Compact Design: Saves space while maintaining high throughput.

Material of Construction

• Options: SS 304, SS 316, MS, or as per client requirements.

Forced Circulation Evaporators are highly efficient and versatile systems, making them a preferred choice for industries requiring reliable and consistent evaporation processes.