Long Tube Vertical Evaporator

General Points
1. Liquid flows inside the tube, steam surrounding it
2. Velocity of the boiling liquor (and thus better heat transfer), is greater than in other
natural circulation evaporators
a. Because strong pumping action when operated at low levels
b. Long cylindrical steam chest increases heat transfer
3. Has higher capacity per unit surface, especially in thin foamy liquors

Applications
1. Concentration in chemical industries
2. Pulp mills for concentrating heat sensitive materials (glue, gelatin)
3. Used in multiple-effect evaporators to save cost
a. Vapour in the first is used to evaporate the vapor in the next column, at a
lower pressure
b. Increases steam economy

2 types: Rising Film and Falling Film

Long tube, vertical evaporators are used for evaporation more than all other types combined
because of the low cost per unit capacity.
Long-tube vertical evaporators — The three types of long-tube vertical evaporators
are the most popular evaporators used today. More evaporation is accomplished in
these units than in all other types combined. While they are natural-circulation
evaporators, they are also categorized individually as rising-film, falling-film, and
rising/falling-film types.

Basically, these units consist of a single-pass vertical shell-and-tube heat exchanger

discharging into a relatively small vapor head. Units may be once-through or
recirculating, depending upon the application; the heating surface may be internal or
external to the main body of the evaporator.

Advantages: This is the most economical design, since a large heat-transfer surface can
be packed into a given body; these evaporators occupy little floor space. Heat-transfer
coefficients are high, and the units are ideal for substantial evaporation duties. Highly
versatile, they are used in various industries. they are especially suited for foaming or
frothing liquors, as the foam is broken due to the liquid/vapor mixture striking an
impingement baffle.
Disadvantages: these vertical units require high headroom. Generally, they are
unsuitable for scaling or salting liquors, and are sensitive to changes in operating
conditions.

Industrial applications: the once-through type is used in pulp-and-paper plants for

concentrating black liquor. Other versions of this evaporator are discussed later.

(a)(Rising Film Evaporator)

Principles: Wikipedia: The liquid being evaporated is fed from the bottom into long tubes and
heated with steam condensing on the outside of the tube from the shell side. This is to produce
steam and vapour within the tube bringing the liquid inside to a boil. The vapour produced then
presses the liquid against the walls of the tubes and causes the ascending force of this liquid. As
more vapour is formed, the centre of the tube will have a higher velocity (100m/s) which forces
the remaining liquid against the tube wall forming a thin film which moves upwards. This
phenomenon of the rising film gives the evaporator its name. In this type of evaporator, the liquid
flows as a thin film on the walls of long (from 12 to 30 feet in length) and vertical heated tube. Tube
length usually varies from 5-15m and the tubes diameter are 2.5-5 cm.
(Retrieved from http://encyclopedia.che.engin.umich.edu/Pages/SeparationsChemical/Evaporators/Evaporators.html)

Theories & Formulas: Overall rate of heat transfer (can include the formulas)

Special features: http://artisanind.com/rising-film-evaporators/

 No pump is required
 Ideal for liquids which attain high viscosity and tend to foul.
 Suitable for high temperature application.
 Better steam economy as compared to falling film evaporator.
 Low capital cost.
 Versatility to change to forced circulation type evaporator if product behavior is likely to change.
 Easy removal of deposits can be achieved by increasing feed rate or reducing heat input.
 Special designs of vapor separators for foaming products are available.
 Spray nozzles or distributors are used to allow uniform distribution of liquid.

Advantages: 1) Low residence time

2) High heat transfer coefficient

Disadvantages: 1) Low Efficiency

2) Limited Product versatility

Applications: - used heavily in the paper industry to concentrate black liquor.

 - used in the food industry to condense milk.
-thermal desalination of sea water

References: 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rising_film_evaporator
2. http://nptel.ac.in/courses/103103027/pdf/mod3.pdf

(b) Falling Film Evaporator

(Retrieved from http://encyclopedia.che.engin.umich.edu/Pages/SeparationsChemical/Evaporators/Evaporators.html)

Principles: (From Visual Encyclopedia of Chemical Engineering): In a falling-film evaporator, feed

enters from the top of the evaporator. It then flows down the inside walls of the tubes by gravity as
a continuous thin film. The fluid will create a film along the tube walls, progressing downwards
(falling) - hence the name. As the feed travels down the tube, evaporation occurs. The vapor/liquid
mixture travels down the remaining tube length and into the vapor head. The vapor is removed
through the top of the vapor head, while the liquid exits out the bottom. The tubes in long-tube
vertical evaporators are typically 2 in. in diameter and between 20 and 35 feet long. They may be
operated in either batch or continuous modes.

Application:

- concentrate heat-sensitive materials, such as fruit juices.

- used when dealing with corrosive solutions or solutions that tend to foam.

Way to distinguish Climbing and Falling Film Evaporator:

Location of the vapor head:

Left: Climbing Film Evaporator; Right: Falling Film
(Copyright GEA Process Engineering Inc., Columbia, MD)

General Advantages and Disadvantages of Long Tube Vertical Evaporator:

References:

http://encyclopedia.che.engin.umich.edu/Pages/SeparationsChemical/Evaporators/Evaporators.htm
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