Direct Steam Injection Benefits vs. Steam Sparging
Like the Jetcooker™, the sparger heating device relies on the steam from the plant steam supply. Piping from a steam header directs the steam through a steam sparging nozzle that is located in the process fluid pipe. A common sparging nozzle consists of several holes which allow steam to enter the process fluid and heat it to the desired temperature.
Sparging Drawbacks
A steam sparging system has several disadvantages when compared to the Jetcooker:
- Inconsistent steam mixing and heat transfer leading to product inconsistency and wasted energy
- Steam sparging nozzle clogging which requires maintenance
- Steam hammer leading to process equipment failure
- Imprecise temperature control which translates to higher energy cost
Sparging relies on external modulation by means of a valve to control steam flow and thus process fluid temperature. This type of operation can lead to steam hammer or unit vibration as the steam mixes with the process fluid in the piping or tank. Over time, this can contribute to equipment wear, piping damage and lead to poor performance.
Why Should I Replace My Steam Sparging System?
Replacing a steam sparging system is an investment in a long future of successful heating. By removing product inconsistency, reducing maintenance & eliminating steam hammer, our Hydroheaters have already made your heating process more efficient. But how can you justify this investment in terms of ROI? Learn exactly how much you can save on operating cost and improve your bottom line with our Steam Energy Savings Calculator.
Instantaneous Steam Mixing in a Hydroheater
Another major difference between the Hydroheater and a steam sparging nozzle can be seen in the mixing process. The Jetcooker utilizes a single nozzle which focuses the incoming steam and accelerates it to a very high velocity (usually sonic velocity) before it comes into contact with the process fluid. This high velocity helps to atomize the steam bubbles and shear the incoming process fluid, which allows for a more complete, efficient heat transfer.
Spargers can cause significant damage to your tank walls
Steam Sparging vs. Hydroheaters Comparison Chart
Typical Tank Heating | Hydroheater® Tank Heating |
DAMAGE | NO DAMAGE |
With spargers and other less sophisticated direct steam heaters, bubbles form and collapse on tank walls; causing hammer and damage to the tank and peripheral piping. | The Hydroheater’s patented technology produces steam velocity that mixes steam and water very effectively, eliminating steam hammer from uncondensed steam. This ensures a smooth and efficient heating process. |
HOT/COLD SPOTS | PRECISE/UNIFORM HEATING |
Spargers inject steam into one area of the tank, causing hot and cold spots. Both spargers & heat exchangers tend to over or under heat and accurate temperature control is difficult. |
Hydroheaters precisely modulate the steam - heating to exact temperatures and maintaining uniform heating throughout the tank. Hydroheaters can be used to fill or recirc/trim heat the tank to meet and maintain exact temperatures. Hydroheaters can also heat the discharge on demand, so you only heat the water you need in a single pass. |
ENERGY LOSS | ENERGY EFFICIENCY |
Sparging causes uncondensed steam bubbles to evaporate to the atmosphere, wasting large amounts of energy. This lost heat/condensate can also corrode peripheral piping, ceilings and structure. This lost steam can cause hazardous mold & other allergens to build in an area. | Less steam used: Hydroheaters use less steam than heat exchangers because they don’t have a barrier between liquids. Better heat transfer: Hydroheaters transfer 100% of the steam’s energy directly to the process fluid so there is no energy loss. Faster start-up: Hydroheaters heat the tanks faster and more efficiently saving cycle or batch time. |
HIGH MAINTENANCE | LOW MAINTENANCE |
Spargers can cause severe hammering and vibration which produces tank and piping damage. Heat exchangers require costly hard water scale maintenance and unwanted down time. Less sophisticated direct steam injection devices often need acid baths and are often high in maintenance needs. |
Patented technology to create sonic velocity of steam prevents hard water scale and unwanted down time. Proper sizing of the heaters and internal modulation ensures a smooth heating process so tanks and peripheral pipes are not damaged from hammer and vibration. The heater itself only needs a once a year preventative maintenance check and soft parts change. Wear parts should last up to 3 years with proper operating conditions. |
Utilizing less steam, space, time means faster cycle times and less costs associated with heating tanks. |
Ready to Replace Your Steam Sparge Nozzle & Pipe System?
Replace your current sparging system with our direct steam injection Hydroheaters today. Still want to learn more? Continue on to our DSI Technology: How it Works page to get the full scoop on precision heating technology.
Still want to replace your steam sparger but don’t know if your industry is the correct one for our Hydroheaters? Check out our Where it Works section for a full list of industries and applications.
Get in contact with us today to be able to replace your current sparger steam pipe & nozzle system today!