Pillow Plate SS MVR Evaporator — Laser Welding · Mechanical Vapor Recompression
Laser-welded stainless steel pillow plates form the compact heating surface of this MVR (Mechanical Vapor Recompression) evaporator. The wide, turbulence-promoting channels of pillow plates combined with recompressed vapor duty deliver high heat-transfer efficiency, low ΔT vacuum evaporation, and reduced energy consumption for food, chemical, and environmental applications.
Key Benefits
- Energy savings: MVR recycles latent heat; minimal fresh steam after start-up.
- Efficient heat transfer: Laser-welded pillow plates enhance turbulence and coefficients at low ΔT.
- Fouling tolerance: Wide channels handle particulates/viscosity better than narrow-gap plate stacks.
- Hygienic & durable: SS304/SS316L wetted parts, smooth finishes, drainable geometry, CIP-ready.
- Modular scaling: Add/remove plate banks to match evaporation load or future expansion.
Process & Thermal Economy
Secondary vapor is mechanically compressed to raise saturation temperature and reused as the heating medium. Feed forms a controlled thin film over pillow plates under vacuum; tight control of ΔT/LMTD and residence time preserves product quality while maximizing heat-transfer performance.
Materials & Construction
Laser-welded SS304/SS316L pillow plates and headers; duplex/Ti/Hastelloy optional for corrosive duties. Sanitary finishes, orbital-welded manifolds, and validated CIP programs available for food-grade compliance.
Process Overview — Pillow Plate MVR
- Feed conditioning: screening/filtration, pH trim/antiscalant as required.
- Falling film on pillow plates: uniform distribution; low ΔT for gentle evaporation.
- MVR compression: VFD-driven compressor sets discharge pressure and capacity.
- Condensate polishing: optional filters/RO/AC for reuse or compliant discharge.
- Concentrate routing: to crystallizer/centrifuge/dryer or upstream recycle per flowsheet.
Key Components
- Laser-welded SS pillow plate evaporator stack with distributors/collectors
- MVR mechanical vapor compressor (turbo/Roots) with VFD
- Vapor–liquid separator, condenser, vacuum/NCG handling skid
- Preheaters/heat-recovery HX; PLC/HMI/SCADA with historian
- CIP skid; anti-scale dosing; conductivity/level/pressure/flow instrumentation
Performance & Sizing
| Parameter | Typical Range* |
| Operation | Continuous, vacuum duty |
| Electric use (MVR) | ~15–40 kWh per ton of water evaporated (duty/CR dependent) |
| Film ΔT | Low for heat-sensitive products; set via compressor discharge pressure |
| Steam demand | Very low after start-up (backup/ancillary only) |
| Materials | SS304 / SS316L standard; duplex/Ti/Hastelloy optional |
*Performance depends on feed chemistry/viscosity, fouling tendency, compression ratio, and plate geometry.
FAQ
When choose pillow plate over shell-and-tube?
Pillow plates provide compact area density, wide channels, and excellent low-ΔT performance for hygienic or moderate-fouling duties.
Can the unit be upgraded later?
Yes. Start with TVR or single-effect duty and upgrade to full MVR or hybrid energy-recovery as loads grow.
Is SS304 enough for our chemistry?
For chloride or aggressive feeds, we recommend SS316L, duplex, or titanium depending on corrosion analysis.
Application
