Egyhatású

Egyhatású is a Hungarian term that translates to "single-effect" in English. It is primarily used in the context of heat exchangers and distillation processes to describe a system where a single evaporation and condensation cycle is employed. In a single-effect evaporator, the vapor generated from the boiling of a liquid is condensed and its heat is used to evaporate more liquid. This is in contrast to multiple-effect evaporators, which use a series of evaporators to improve energy efficiency.

The primary advantage of a single-effect system is its simplicity in design and operation. It requires less initial capital investment compared to more complex multi-effect systems. However, its energy efficiency is lower. The steam used to heat the liquid is condensed, and its latent heat is then used for evaporation. After this, the vapor is typically released or cooled by a separate cooling medium, meaning a significant portion of the energy input is not recovered within the system itself.

Single-effect evaporators are often suitable for applications where the heat demand is not continuous, or where the scale of operation is relatively small. They are also chosen when the cost of energy is not a primary concern or when the simplicity of operation outweighs the benefits of higher energy efficiency. Examples of their use can be found in certain industrial drying processes, small-scale chemical production, and in some food processing applications. The term emphasizes the singular nature of the evaporation and condensation loop within the equipment.