EquipmentDairyFoodChemicalCalculatorContact

WFF Series

Falling film evaporator

We concentrate your product before drying, removing most of the water at a fraction of the energy. Modular design, expandable in effects, for highly heat-sensitive products at low temperature.

Up to 75,000 kg/h
standard range
1 to 6
effects
TVR
thermal recompression

Falling film evaporator: the product runs down the tube walls as a thin film and evaporates at low temperature.

How falling film evaporation works

The product enters at the top of a tube bundle and runs down the walls as a thin film. Steam heats the outside of the tubes and the water evaporates, with a very short contact time and small temperature differences. That is why this is the standard route for heat-sensitive products.

The vapour raised in one effect heats the next. Every effect added cuts the specific live steam consumption: with six effects, the steam used per kilogram of water evaporated is a fraction of what a single stage needs.

A thermal vapour recompression ejector (TVR) uses high-pressure live steam to recompress part of the vapour raised and return it to the process. It has no moving parts, is robust and needs virtually no maintenance, and it cuts specific consumption sharply.

Typical applications

Dairy

Whole and skim milk, cheese whey, permeate and protein concentrates.

Juices and fruit

Fruit juices, purees and concentrates, protecting colour and aroma.

Extracts and coffee

Plant and coffee extracts ahead of spray drying or freeze drying.

Glucose and sugars

Syrups and sugar solutions taken to the solids content required.

Chemicals

Brines, liquors and dilute solutions, recovering condensate as process water.

Effluents

Volume reduction of dilute streams and recovery of valuable solids.

What the supply includes

  • Tube bundle and separator, with sanitary finish where the product demands it
  • TVR ejector sized for your steam network
  • Condenser, product pumps and vacuum system
  • Preheating and heat recovery from condensate
  • CIP cleaning integrated into the line
  • Control panel, automation and outlet solids control

How the machine is specified

  • Feed rate and inlet solids
  • Solids wanted at the evaporator outlet
  • Maximum temperature the product tolerates
  • Steam pressure and flow available at the plant
  • Number of effects, set by the cost of energy
  • Hygiene and cleaning requirements

Frequently asked questions

How many effects do I need?

It depends on the cost of energy at your plant and on the throughput. More effects mean less steam per kilogram of water but a larger investment. The break-even is worked out with your tariffs and your operating hours.

What does the TVR do?

The thermal vapour recompression ejector uses high-pressure live steam to recompress part of the vapour raised in the process and return it as heating steam. It cuts specific consumption with no moving parts and almost no maintenance.

How far can it concentrate?

As far as the viscosity and pumpability of the product allow. Past that point the concentrate becomes hard to handle and to atomise. The limit is specific to each product and is confirmed by trials.

Tell us what you need to concentrate

With the product data and the capacity you are after we answer within 24 business hours, with a first technical assessment of the line that fits your plant.

Or reach us on WhatsApp or at info@witech-dry.com.