Heat Exchangers
DOE-HDBK-1018/1-93
HEAT EXCHANGER APPLICATIONS
Normally, air ejectors consist of two suction stages. The first stage suction is located on top of
the condenser, while the second stage suction comes from the diffuser of the first stage. The
exhaust steam from the second stage must be condensed. This is normally accomplished by an
air ejector condenser that is cooled by condensate. The air ejector condenser also preheats the
condensate returning to the boiler. Two-stage air ejectors are capable of drawing vacuums to
29 inches Hg.
A vacuum pump may be any type of motor-driven air compressor. Its suction is attached to the
condenser, and it discharges to the atmosphere. A common type uses rotating vanes in an
elliptical housing. Single-stage, rotary-vane units are used for vacuums to 28 inches Hg. Two
stage units can draw vacuums to 29.7 inches Hg. The vacuum pump has an advantage over the
air ejector in that it requires no source of steam for its operation. They are normally used as the
initial source of vacuum for condenser start-up.
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