Steam Jet Ejectors
The
Steam Jet Ejectors: largest vacuum
producing devices available are used in the
most of applications in many industries.
Ejectors can be designed to operate
without steam as their motive source. In
addition to operating well into the micron
HgA range, they can also operate well
above atmospheric pressure.
Used extensively throughout the process
industries, steam ejector vacuum systems
offer a reliable and economical means of
handling high volumes of gas and vapour
streams at low pressures. The primary
advantage of installing ejectors versus
mechanical pumps is the ejectors’
simplicity of operation, low first cost, and
ability in handling wet, corrosive and
contaminated loads in the most difficult
operating conditions. Ejectors are virtually
maintenance free and can be constructed
from a wide variety of steel, alloy, and
composite materials.
An ejector is a pumping device with no
moving parts. Instead, it uses a fluid or gas
as a motive force. Very often, the motive
fluid is steam and the device is called a
“steam jet ejector.” Basic ejector
components are the steam chest, nozzle,
suction, throat, diffuser and they discharge.
In operation, a high-pressure motive gas
enters the steam chest at low velocity and
expands through the converging-diverging
nozzle. This results in a decrease in
pressure and an increase in velocity.
Meanwhile, the suction fluid enters at the
suction inlet. The motive fluid, which is
now at high velocity, entrains the suction
fluid and combines with it.
The two fluids are then recompressed
through the diffuser. Potential energy is
converted to kinetic energy; thus, velocity
increases and pressure decreases. The
mixture reaches its maximum velocity and
lowest pressure at the Venturi throat.
fluid then is charges at an intermediate
pressure, which is higher than the inlet
suction fluid pressure, but much lower
than the inlet motive fluid pressure.
A single stage of ejector is usually
entertained for normal purposes due to
economic considerations. In a multi stage
ejector the number of ejector part
increases. Based on the plight of steam
used the ejectors may be equipped with
precondensor or intercondensor or
aftercondensors. Staging of Ejectors is
required for more economical operation
when the required absolute vacuum level is
reduced
1st Stage : 810mm HgA - 30mm HgA
2nd Stage : 130mm HgA - 3 mm HgA
3rd Stage : 25mm HgA - 0.8mm HgA
4th Stage : 4mm HgA - 75 microns HgA
5th Stage : 0.4mm HgA - 10 microns HgA
6th Stage : 0.1mm HgA - 3 microns HgA
Intercondensers are used to condense the
steam from a preceding ejector stage, thus
reducing the inlet quantity of vapour
mixture to the following stage. This is a
means of increasing steam economy.
Condenser tail pipes, used with any
condenser, are sealed with a 34-ft leg into
a sump, or with a condensate pump
operating under vacuum on suction. With
surface-type condensers, the level may be
sealed in a receiver with a float or other
type of level control.
Some of the operating challenges are;
1. They are operated to work at
specific optimum point: deviation
results in performance
deterioration.
2. Water disposal Installation cost
might be significant, when
considering need for barometric
 seals, steam piping, and possibly 4. Often run continuously, even if the
boiler capacity process requires intermittent
3. Load specific; very sensitive to vacuum
variations in process conditions and
pressure

Two Stage Jet Ejector with Intercondensor