Equipment » Thermo-Compressors

JET-VAC® Thermo-Compressors

A low cost, maintenance-free way to compress and mix gases

JET-VAC Thermocompressors use a jet of high-pressure gas as an operating medium to entrain a low-pressure gas, mix the two and discharge the mix at an intermediate pressure. The gases can be steam, air, propane or any other gas. When both gases are steam, the compressor is referred to as a thermocompressor.

Advantages
  • Simple construction with no moving parts to break, adjust or replace
  • Low original cost and upkeep
  • Safe for potentially explosive environments without additional safeguards
  • Low maintenance requirements allow use in remote locations
  • Available in a variety of materials – cast iron, bronze, stainless steel, etc.
  • Compress and mix gases as well as reduce operating medium pressure
How Thermocompressors work

Motive gas, under pressure, enters the thermocompressor and flows through its nozzle. The nozzle converts the high-pressure gas into a high-velocity stream, creating suction and causing entrainment of the low-pressure gas. The two gasses mix in the thermocompressor body. The diffuser then converts the velocity head of the gas mixture into a static head to obtain the proper discharge pressure.

Thermocompressors are used in the process, paper, petroleum, power and gas industries to circulate steam, boost low-pressure steam and to mix, transfer and compress gasses.

Thermocompressor types (based on performance requirements)
Non-critical thermocompressors
These have an absolute discharge pressure of less than 1.8 times the absolute suction pressure. Constant suction pressure is maintained at varying capacities by controlling the motive flow.
Critical thermocompressors
These have an absolute discharge pressure equal or greater than 1.8 times absolute suction pressure. The motive fluid cannot control the suction pressure. It is necessary to add a secondary suction fluid or vary the suction pressure by introducing an artificial pressure drop in the suction lines.