The Sanitary Hydroheater® employs a unique internal geometry to control the steam injection process. A variable area nozzle/stem plug is used to precisely regulate steam flow. The steam condenses and disperses into the liquid so quickly that hammering and vibration often experienced with less sophisticated heaters are virtually eliminated.

Inside the Sanitary Hydroheater®, steam is mixed directly with a liquid or slurry in a highly turbulent manner. This provides for instantaneous transfer of both the latent and sensible heat of the stem to the liquid; a 100% heat transfer efficiency. Indirect heat transfer methods (i.e., heat exchangers) use only the latent heat, and therefore are as much as 15-20% less efficient. The increased transfer efficiency means less total steam is needed and associated energy cost are reduced.

The high steam velocity turns the Sanitary Hydroheater® into a self-cleaning machine, ensuring that internal surfaces will not plug or foul regardless of the product being heated.

The Sanitary Hydroheater® does not have a "heat transfer barrier" such as a wall separating the steam and the liquid as in a standard heat exchanger. Heat transfer barriers can increase response time to process changes. Having no such barrier, the Sanitary Hydroheater® responds instantly to control signals, moving the stem plug position and changing the liquid temperature immediately. A Sanitary Hydroheater® can change liquid temperature as fast and precisely as the control loop is capable of measuring and responding to changes in temperature.

Understanding the Basics of Steam Injection Heating

Annular Steam Video