Steam Jet Syphons operate on the steam jet principle utilizing the energy of steam under pressure to pump, mix liquids and handle solids. They can be used for the handling of corrosive or abrasive liquids and solids because of their design simplicity and the absence of moving parts.
S&K syphons offer numerous advantages. Within the syphon, there are no moving parts to wear or break, and thus nothing to require extensive maintenance. Since the syphon is small in relation to the work it does, the cost is correspondingly low. Easy to install, they may be located in remote and inaccessible places without requiring constant attention.
In operation, steam under pressure discharges at high velocity through a nozzle and entrains the suction liquid or slurry. The steam and suction fluid are mixed intimately in the specially designed diffuser of the syphon and are discharged against counter pressure. The pressure steam, which passes through the nozzle at high velocity, is condensed by the suction liquid, raising its temperature. Density, viscosity, specific heat, discharge head and suction pressure of the pumped liquid all influence the temperature rise. Steam jet syphons will not operate if the temperature rise brings the liquid to the boiling point. For proper operation, complete condensation of the motive steam in the syphon is required.
Syphons are especially well suited for processes where heating is required in addition to pumping since the pumping is accomplished for the cost of the heating. Some of their uses include intermittent pumping of liquids from tanks and pits, pumping filtrate from vacuum vessels and condensate from surface condensers, supplying heated water to the jackets of stills and graining bowls, removing liquid from pickling baths, extracting chemicals in reaction chambers, moving powdered material or material in granular form, filling and emptying gas holder tanks, handling soap solutions in textile plants, pumping sugar juice and various liquids in canning plants.
Select a Steam Jet Syphon from the following model choices:
- Fig. 217 & Fig. 219 (Designed for liquid pumping and mixing as well as some solids)
- Fig. 2175 Automatic Steam Jet Syphons
- Fig. 220 (Designed for use where solids or semi-solids must be passed through the pump)
Operation
Steam under pressure enters the syphon and produces a high velocity jet. This jet action creates a vacuum in the line causing the suction material to be drawn into the body of the syphon where it is entrained by the steam
Typical Pipe for Threaded Syphons
Illustrated is the usual and most satisfactory method of installing a standard threaded syphon. To obtain maximum results the syphon should be suspended a foot or two above the surface of the liquid to be lifted. Under these conditions, the syphon automatically empties itself when not in operation. The live steam pipe should be blown out before connection is made to the syphon. In cases where there are lumps or other material in the liquid, a Strainer should be used on the suction pipe. Stoppage in the suction pipe, in the strainer or in the syphon is cleared by closing a valve in the discharge line. This causes the steam to blow back and remove the obstruction.
The syphon works best for any individual condition at a definite steam pressure, which must be determined by throtting the steam. Therefore, when the syphon is first installed, the regulating stop valve in the steam line is adjusted to the most favorable pressure and locked in that position. A second stop valve is then used for operating the syphon.
Before starting, the drain valve should be opened to draw off any condensation. The delivery pipe should be arranged without any traps or loops, and the suction line should be air tight. The syphon is started by opening the operating valve to turn on the live steam, and it can be shut off by closing this valve.