Ejector systems for fats, oils, oleochemicals
Essential processes in the production of natural fats and oils and derivative oleochemicals are performed under vacuum, i.e., at a pressure below atmospheric. Such processes, including solvent extraction, degumming, bleaching, interesterification, fractionation, winterization and deodorization, are supported by ejector systems (Figure 1.). Ejector systems are employed to produce and maintain proper vacuum. The complexity of the various processes necessitates an integrated ejector system for an optimized unit operation. An integrated system will ensure that a proper balance of operating and evaluated cost is maintained while satisfying demands of the process itself. Even though ejector systems are an integral part of the process, many users and operators of these systems do not understand their operational characteristics or what influences their performance.
Ejectors
An ejector is a static piece of equipment with no moving parts (Figure 2). The major components of an ejector are the motive nozzle, motive chest, suction chamber, and diffuser. An ejector converts pressure energy of motive steam into velocity. Thermodynamically, high velocity is achieved through adiabatic expansion of motive steam through a conver-gent/divergent steam nozzle. This expansion of steam from the motive pressure to the suction fluid operating pressure results in supersonic velocities at the exit of the steam nozzle. Actually....
