Steam Generators & Vaporizers

Steam Generators and Vaporizers

Heat Exchangers as Steam Generators

Tube-in-tube and shell & tube designs are widely used to generate clean steam or vaporize liquids by transferring heat from a primary medium (plant steam, hot oil, or glycol) to water or process fluid on the secondary side. These exchangers provide precise temperature control and high thermal efficiency for consistent vapor production.

Direct Steam Generation

In breweries and distilleries, steam generators produce culinary-grade or process steam for heating mash tuns, stills, jacketed vessels, and sterilization. Shell & tube configurations with baffled tubes ensure uniform heat distribution and high steam output, while tube-in-tube units offer compact, high-pressure capability for smaller systems. Clean steam output prevents contamination in direct-contact applications.

Energy recovery is common — exhaust steam or condensate heat preheats feedwater, improving overall plant efficiency. These exchangers handle high-temperature differentials and thermal cycling without leakage or fatigue.

Vaporization in Distillation

During distillation, vaporizers preheat or partially vaporize fermented wash before entering the column, boosting separation efficiency. In reboiler service, they vaporize bottoms liquid to drive vapor flow upward. Precise control maintains desired vapor rates and reduces energy use.

Industrial-grade materials (304L/316L stainless, duplex, or carbon steel) withstand corrosive vapors, high temperatures, and cleaning chemicals. Designs meet ASME and sanitary standards when required.

Precise Temperature Control

Steam generators and vaporizers deliver stable output temperature and pressure, critical for consistent product quality and process repeatability. Compact footprints and modular options suit retrofits and expansions in beverage facilities.