Höyryhaihdutuksessa

Höyryhaihdutus, also known as steam evaporation, is a thermal separation process used to remove a solvent, typically water, from a solution by utilizing steam. The process involves heating the solution to its boiling point, causing the solvent to vaporize and leave behind a more concentrated solution or solid residue. In many industrial applications, steam is used as the heating medium due to its efficiency and ease of control.

The core principle behind steam evaporation is the transfer of heat from the steam to the solution. This heat energy increases the kinetic energy of the solvent molecules, allowing them to transition from a liquid to a gaseous state. The vaporized solvent is then separated from the remaining liquid, often through condensation and collection, or by allowing it to escape as vapor. The efficiency of the process can be influenced by factors such as the temperature of the steam, the pressure within the evaporator, and the properties of the solution being concentrated.

Steam evaporation is employed across a wide range of industries. In the food industry, it is used for concentrating fruit juices, milk, and producing powdered products. The chemical industry utilizes it for separating and purifying various substances, and in wastewater treatment, it helps to reduce the volume of liquid waste. The design of steam evaporators can vary, including single-effect, multiple-effect, and mechanical vapor recompression (MVR) systems, each offering different levels of energy efficiency and suitability for specific applications.