Mapúa University

Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila

School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

EXPERIMENT NO. 3
STEAM INJECTOR

17 RAMOS, Chester Jericho O. Date of Performance: March 6, 2019

ME139L/E01 Date of Submission: March 15, 2019

Group No. 3

GRADE

Engr. Teodulo A. Valle

Instructor
 Table of Contents

Page No.

I. OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................................... 1

II. THEORY/PRINCIPLES ......................................................................................................... 1

III. LIST OF APPARATUS ........................................................................................................ 10

IV. PROCEDURE ......................................................................................................................... 3

V. SET-UP OF APPARATUS..................................................................................................... 4

VI. FINAL DATA SHEET ........................................................................................................... 6

VII. SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS ................................................................................................ 7

VIII. TEST DATA ANALYSIS ...................................................................................................... 9

IX. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS........................................................................................... 10

X. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................... 12

REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 13

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 I. OBJECTIVES

1. To determine the amount of steam and water that mixes up to form the hot fluids.
2. To learn the principle and operation.

II. THEORY/PRINCIPLES

This part discusses the theories and principles behind steam injector and its operation.

An injector, ejector, steam ejector, steam injector, eductor-jet pump or

thermocompression is a pump-like device that uses the Venturi effect of a converging-
diverging nozzle to convert the pressure energy of a motive fluid to velocity energy which
creates a low pressure zone that draws in and entrains a suction fluid. After passing through
the throat of the injector, the mixed fluid expands and the velocity is reduced which results
in recompressing the mixed fluids by converting velocity energy back into pressure energy.
The motive fluid may be a liquid, steam or any other gas. The entrained suction fluid may
be a gas, a liquid, a slurry, or a dust-laden gas stream.

A steam injector is typically used to deliver cold water to a boiler against its own
pressure using its own live or exhaust steam, replacing any mechanical pump. This was the
purpose for which it was originally invented in 1858 by Henri Giffard. Its operation was
from the start intriguing since it seemed paradoxical, almost like perpetual motion, but its
operation was later explained using thermodynamics. Other types of injector may use other
pressurized motive fluids such as air.

An injector is a more complex device containing at least three cones. That used for
delivering water to a steam locomotive boiler takes advantage of the release of the energy
contained within the latent heat of evaporation to increase the pressure to above that within
the boiler.

The Venturi effect, a particular case of Bernoulli's principle, applies to the operation
of this device. Fluid under high pressure is converted into a high-velocity jet at the throat
of the convergent-divergent nozzle which creates a low pressure at that point. The low

1
pressure draws the suction fluid into the convergent-divergent nozzle where it mixes with
the motive fluid.

In essence, the pressure energy of the inlet motive fluid is converted to kinetic energy
in the form of velocity head at the throat of the convergent-divergent nozzle. As the mixed
fluid then expands in the divergent diffuser, the kinetic energy is converted back to pressure
energy at the diffuser outlet in accordance with Bernoulli's principle.

Depending on the specific application, an injector is commonly also called an Eductor-

jet pump, a water eductor, a vacuum ejector, a steam-jet ejector, or an aspirator.

How the Injector Works

The steam nozzle accelerates the injection steam up to supersonic velocity and puts it
under atmospheric pressure at the nozzle outlet. In this area of low pressure (mixing zone),
fluid can be added continuously to the steam, without needing a feed pump. By adding
fluid, the steam starts to condense. The steam condensation produces a shockwave front.
In the shockwave zone, all the steam condensation and the pressure increase takes place.
The steam bubbles implode at a very high speed
against the fluid at the shockwave front, with the
result of very high homogenization. The energy
produced by the steam condensation heats the fluid.
The final temperature of the exiting fluid is
controllable automatically by a steam valve and a
temperature sensor at the injector outlet. The effect of
the fluid homogenization is controllable by the steam
injection value.

If the back-pressure at the injector outlet is higher

than the increasing pressure at the shockwave front,
the injector needs a feed pump at the fluid-inlet side.

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PARTS OF A STEAM INJECTOR

3
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

4
IMPORTANCE OF STEAM INJECTOR

The use of injectors (or ejectors) in various industrial applications has become quite
common due to their relative simplicity and adaptability. For example:

 To inject chemicals into the boiler drums of small, stationary, low pressure boilers.
In large, high-pressure modern boilers, usage of injectors for chemical dosing is not
possible due to their limited outlet pressures.

 In thermal power stations, they are used for the removal of the boiler bottom ash,
the removal of fly ash from the hoppers of the electrostatic precipitators used to
remove that ash from the boiler flue gas, and for creating a vacuum pressure
in steam turbine exhaust condensers.

 Jet pumps have been used in boiling water nuclear reactors to circulate the coolant
fluid.

 For use in producing a vacuum pressure in steam jet cooling systems.

 For the bulk handling of grains or other granular or powdered materials.

 The construction industry uses them for pumping turbid water and slurries.

 Some aircraft (mostly earlier designs) use an ejector attached to the fuselage to
provide vacuum for gyroscopic instruments such as an attitude indicator.

 Aspirators are vacuum pumps based on the same operating principle and are used
in laboratories to create a partial vacuum and for medical use in suction of mucus
or bodily fluids.

 Water eductors are water pumps used for dredging silt and panning for gold, they're
used because they can handle quite well the highly abrasive mixtures that are
pumped.

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OTHER TYPES OF STEAM INJECTOR

Feedwater injectors

The injector was originally used in the boilers of steam locomotives for injecting
or pumping the boiler feedwater into the boiler. The injector consisted of a body containing
a series of three or more nozzles, "cones" or "tubes". The motive steam passed through a
nozzle that reduced its pressure below atmospheric and increased the steam velocity. Fresh
water was entrained by the steam jet, and both steam and water entered a convergent
"combining cone" which mixed them thoroughly so that the water condensed the steam.
The condensate mixture then entered a divergent "delivery cone" which slowed down the
jet, and thus built up the pressure to above that of the boiler. An overflow was required for
excess steam or water to discharge, especially during starting. There was at least one check
valve between the exit of the injector and the boiler to prevent back flow, and usually a
valve to prevent air being sucked in at the overflow.

After some initial skepticism resulting from the unfamiliar and superficially
paradoxical mode of operation, the injector was widely adopted as an alternative to
mechanical pumps in steam-driven locomotives. The injectors were simple and reliable,
and they were thermally efficient.

The Sellers Injector

When the Giffard injector was first introduced into this country by William Sellers
& Co., Philadelphia, it was a rather defective boiler-feeder; but that firm effected great
improvements and led the way for making the injector the popular boiler-feeder it is to-
day. They made the instrument self-adjusting, and improved its design so that it would feed
automatically, however much the pressure of the boiler varied, and, finally they perfected
it so that, should anything happen to interrupt its working, it would automatically restart
itself. The latest development of the injector is shown by a sectional view in Fig. 2.

This instrument will start at the lowest steam pressures with water flowing to it, and
will lift the water promptly even when the suction-pipe is hot. At 10 pounds steam pressure
it will lift the Water 2 feet; at 30 pounds, 5 feet; and at all ordinary pressures, say 60 pounds

6
and over, it will lift from 12 to 18 feet. It can be used as a heater for the water supply by
simply closing the waste-valve and pulling out the steam-lever.

Nathan Mfg. Co.'S Improved Monitor Injector

One of the most successful and enduring injectors in use is the Monitor, the
distinguishing feature of which originally was that the injector is constructed with fixed
nozzles, that insure great durability, combined with certainty of action. The injector shown
in Fig. 3 is an improvement on the old Monitor, the radical change being that this injector
is operated by a single lever. Anyone who has studied the operation of the injector already
described will have no difficulty in perceiving how the new Monitor works. It will be seen
that steam is admitted from the top to the tube that forms the body of the injector, and the
water from below. To start the injector, the water-valve W is opened. The main lever S is
then pulled out a short distance
to lift the water; when the water
begins to escape through the
overflow the lever S is steadily
drawn back, which puts the
injector working at its maximum
power. The quantity of feed
required is graduated by the
valve W.

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 When it is desired to use the injector as a heater, close the valve H and. pull out the
lever S all the way. At other times the valve Hmust be kept open.

With a boiler pressure of 30 pounds this injector will lift the water 5 feet, and at
ordinary working pressure the steam will have power to lift the water to a height not likely
to arise in locomotive practice.

The Mack Injector

The engraving gives a sectional view of the well known Mack injector, which is
one of the oldest and has long been a favorite on many roads. The parts are strikingly
simple, and they are designed in very compact form. The section shows the arrangement
very clearly. The cone and tubes can be easily re-moved for cleaning; or should they get
cut by the sand in gritty water, or filled with incrustation, they can be taken out and replaced
by a new set in a few minutes, the interchangeable parts being kept in stock. There is but
one water-passage and it is very large, so that there is very little danger of sand or mineral
deposits interfering with the efficiency of the injector.

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 To work this injector, the steam-valve is opened one quarter of a turn to lift the water;
when water begins to escape from the overflow, the steam-valve is opened till the water
ceases to pass out of the overflow opening. The supply is regulated by the lazy-cock.

A special claim made for this injector is the wide range of its delivery. The supply can
be regulated to the absolute requirements of the boiler, be the train fast or slow, light or
heavy. It will start readily at 30 pounds pressure and work up to any pressure required.
Below 50 pounds pressure it may be necessary to partly close the supply of water.

Little Giant Injector

This injector, made by the Rue Manufacturing Co. is a highly efficient boiler-feeder,
and a very simple apparatus. The construction is clearly seen in the engraving. A unique
feature about this injector is the movable combining tube adjusted by a lever, causing the
feed to be exactly suited to the service. Moving the lever towards A tends to cut off the
feed, and moving towards B increases it.

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 To work the injector, the combining tube lever is set in position to admit sufficient
water to condense the steam from the starting valve. The starting valve is then opened
slightly till the water begins to escape from the overflow, when it is opened full. The feed
is then regulated by the combining tube lever. To use this injector as a heater, the overflow
is closed by the combining tube being moved up against the discharge, and opening the
starting valve sufficiently to admit the quantity of steam required.

Multi-stage steam ejectors

In practice, for suction pressure below 100 mbar absolute, more than one ejector is
used, usually with condensers between the ejector stages. Condensing of motive steam
greatly improves ejector set efficiency; both barometric and shell-and-tube surface
condensers are used.

Construction materials

Injectors or ejectors are made of carbon and stainless steel, titanium, PTFE, carbon
and other materials.

III. LIST OF APPARATUS

1. Steam injector
2. Pressure gauges
3. Boiler
4. Steel drums
5. Stopwatch
6. Asbestos Gloves
7. Meter Stick
8. Thermometers

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Pressure gauges

Steel Drum

Thermometers

Stopwatch

Meter Stick Asbestos Gloves

Figure 1. Materials for the Experiment.

2
IV. PROCEDURE

1. Fill up the suction drum with water from the main supply.

2. Measure the diameter of the discharge drum.

3. Measure the maximum height of the discharge.

4. Place the discharge hose inside the discharge drum.

5. Open the steam injector valve and throttle the valve until desired pressure is attained.

6. Let the process run continuously.

7. Duration of the trial is 2 minutes.

8. Before the trial ends, record the temperature of the mixture and pressure readings.

9. After the trial ends, close the injector valve.

10. Determine the height of the mixture inside the discharge drum.

11. Determine the requirement needed to complete the data shee

3
 V. SET-UP OF APPARATUS

Inlet Pressure

Outlet Pressure

Steam inlet

Mixture Outlet

Water Inlet

Figure 2. Actual Steam Injector Setup Inside M.E. Laboratory

4
Figure 3. Set up for getting the Temperature

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VI. FINAL DATA SHEET

P1 T1 hs P2 T2 hw P3 T3 hmix mm mw ms
Group Trial
(psi) (oC) (kJ/kg) (kPa) (oC) (kJ/kg) (kPa) (oC) (kJ/kg (kg) (kg) (kg)

1 30 110 2675.11 101.325 29 121.67 13 59 247.1 26.33 25.04 1.25

I
2 30 112 2675.11 101.325 29 121.67 15 58.5 244.94 26.35 24.6 1.75

1 30 113 2673.11 101.325 29 121.67 16 61 255.29 15.04 14.1213 0.9187

II
2 28 113 2653.51 101.325 29 121.67 14 58 242.69 25.0719 25.0241 0.0478

1 22 102 2667.806 101.325 29 121.6656 11 49 213.6725 31.34 30.21 1.13

III
2 24 110 2670.3152 101.325 29 121.6656 6 59 171.864 18.8 18.43 0.370

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VII. SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS

Group III Trial 1:

0.101325𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝑃1 = (22 + 14.7𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑎) ( ) = 0.2529𝑀𝑃𝑎
14.7 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑎

0.101325𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝑃3 = (11 + 14.7𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑎) ( ) = 0.1771𝑀𝑃𝑎
14.7 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑎

For Enthalpy of Steam 𝒉𝒔

From Steam Table @ 𝑃1 = 0.2529𝑀𝑃𝑎 (Table 2 by double interpolation)

𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝐽
ℎ𝑓 = 536.9824 𝑘𝑔 ℎ𝑓𝑔1 = 2180.54 𝑘𝑔

Using the value that was obtained from Experiment No. 2 : 𝑥 = 0.9772

𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝐽
ℎ𝑠 = ℎ𝑓 + 𝑥ℎ𝑓𝑔1 = (536.9824 ) + (0.9775) (2180.54 )
𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝑔

𝒌𝑱
𝒉𝒔 = 𝟐𝟐𝟔𝟔𝟕. 𝟖𝟎𝟔
𝒌𝒈

For Enthalpy of Mixture 𝒉𝒎𝒊𝒙

From Steam Table @ 𝑃3 = 0.1771𝑀𝑃𝑎 & 𝑇3 = 49°C (Table 4 by double interpolation)

0.1771 − 0 𝑎 − 167.56 0.1771 − 0 𝑏 − 251.12

= = ;
2.5 − 0 169.77 − 167.56 2.5 − 0 253.12 − 251.12

𝑎 = 167.72 𝑏 = 251.27

49 − 60 ℎ𝑚𝑖𝑥 − 167.72
=
40 − 60 251.27 − 167.77

𝒌𝑱
𝒉𝒎𝒊𝒙 = 𝟐𝟏𝟑. 𝟔𝟕𝟐𝟓
𝒌𝒈

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For Enthalpy of Water 𝒉𝒘

From Steam Table @ 𝑃2 = 0.101𝑀𝑃𝑎 & 𝑇2 = 29°C (Table 4 by double interpolation)

29 − 20 𝑎 − 83.95 29 − 20 𝑏 − 86.3
= =
40 − 20 167.56 − 83.95 40 − 20 169.77 − 86.3

𝑎 = 121.5745 𝑏 = 123.83

0.101 ℎ𝑤 − 121.5745
=
2.5 123.83 − 121.5745

𝒌𝑱
𝒉𝒘 = 𝟏𝟐𝟏. 𝟔𝟔𝟓𝟔
𝒌𝒈

Mass of Mixture 𝒎𝒎

𝜋 𝑘𝑔 𝜋 (56.5)2 12.5
𝑚𝑚 = 𝜌𝑉 = 𝜌 ( 𝑑 2 ℎ) = (1000 3 ) [ ( )( )]
4 𝑚 4 100 100

𝒎𝒎 = 𝟑𝟏. 𝟑𝟒𝒌𝒈

Mass of Steam 𝒎𝒔

𝑘𝐽
𝑚𝑚 (ℎ𝑚𝑖𝑥 − ℎ𝑤 ) (31.34𝑘𝑔)(213.6725 − 121.6656) 𝑘𝑔
𝑚𝑠 = =
ℎ𝑠 − ℎ𝑤 𝑘𝐽
(22667.806 − 121.6656)
𝑘𝑔

𝒎𝒔 = 𝟏. 𝟏𝟑𝒌𝒈

Mass of Water 𝒎𝒘

𝑚𝑤 = 𝑚𝑚 − 𝑚𝑠 = 31.34𝑘𝑔 − 1.13𝑘𝑔

𝒎𝒘 = 30.21kg

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VIII. TEST DATA ANALYSIS

The basic principle of a steam injector is that it has a motive chest(housing the steam or
high pressure liquid), a suction side (for the liquid to be mixed) and converging diverging nozzle.
In the motive chest of the steam injector, the fluid is normally steam. This is then pumped through
a motive nozzle, which enables the steam to adiabatically expand. Also, the speed of which the
steam exits the motive nozzle is greater than that of the motive suction side. Moreover, since there
is a increase in velocity, there will also be decrease in pressure; the decreased pressure, however,
is enough to create a localized low pressure region in the suction chamber. A vacuum is made,
enabling the fluid, in this case, water to be entrained. There will be a transfer of momentum,
causing a decrease in speed of the new mixture. To combat this, and enable proper mixing, the
converging diverging nozzle is used to compress the mixture and exit at a lower pressure with the
utilization of Bernoulli’s principle.
Since the same steam from the boiler is used for experiment 2, it is safe to conclude that
the quality has been predetermined. However, the mass of steam and water flowing through the
steam injector and exiting as one mixture is required to be obtained. With the basic principle of
steam injectors known, we treat it as a system and apply energy balance of the liquids entering and
exiting the injector. The enthalpy at the motive side of the injector can be determined using the
pressure measured and the steam quality computed. The wet mixture flowing through the suction
region is almost or near to become a saturated vapor. At the converging-diverging nozzle, the
water flowing through is a compressed liquid. The enthalpy of compressed liquid to saturated
liquid is somehow near to each other. Due to this, the enthalpy this region is the saturated liquid
enthalpy at the standard room temperature of water. For the mixture, the enthalpy can be obtained
by considering the measured temperature and the measured pressure. While the mass of the
mixture can be obtained through the volume of water pumped to a drum for a certain time interval.

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IX. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. What is the Venturi effect?

- The Venturi effect is the reduction in fluid pressure that results when a fluid flows
through a constricted section (or choke) of a pipe. The Venturi effect is named after
Giovanni Battista Venturi (1746–1822), an Italian physicist.

2. What is the purpose of a venturi tube?

- Venturi tube is a device for measuring the flow of a fluid, consisting of a tube with
a short, narrow center section and widened, tapered ends, so that a fluid flowing
through the center section at a higher velocity than through an end section creates
a pressure differential that is a measure of the flow of the fluid.

3. Name another application of the Venturi effect.

- Jet pumps are commonly used to extract water from water wells. The main pump,
often a centrifugal pump, is powered and installed at ground level. Its discharge is
split, with the greater part of the flow leaving the system, while a portion of the
flow is returned to the jet pump installed below ground in the well. This recirculated
part of the pumped fluid is used to power the jet. At the jet pump, the high-energy,
low-mass returned flow drives more fluid from the well, becoming a low-energy,
high-mass flow which is then piped to the inlet of the main pump.

4. How does steam injector work?

- A steam injector is typically used to deliver cold water to a boiler against its own
pressure using its own live or exhaust steam, replacing any mechanical pump. This
was the purpose for which it was originally invented in 1858 by Henri Giffard. Its
operation was from the start intriguing since it seemed paradoxical, almost like
perpetual motion, but its operation was later explained using thermodynamics.
Other types of injector may use other pressurized motive fluids such as air.

10
5. What is a steam jet ejector?

- Very simply, an ejector is a pumping device. It has 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.

6. How does an ejector create a vaccum?

- Steam jet Ejectors are based on the ejector-venturi principal and operate by passing
motive steam through an expanding nozzle. The nozzle provides controlled
expansion of the motive steam to convert pressure in to velocity which creates a
vacuum with in the body chamber to draw in and entrain gases or vapours.

7. What is direct steam injection?

- Direct steam injection (DSI) heating is a general term that refers to any type of fluid
heating that utilizes steam being directly mixed with the utility or process fluid.
Several forms of direction steam injection include: spargers, externally and
internally modulated heaters and eductor pumps.

8. What is an overflow?

- An overflow is required for excess steam or water to discharge, especially during

starting; if the injector cannot initially overcome boiler pressure, the overflow
allows the injector to continue to draw water and steam.

9. How to improve the efficiency of an injector?

- Efficiency was further improved by the development of a multi-stage injector which is

powered not by live steam from the boiler but by exhaust steam from the cylinders, thereby
making use of the residual energy in the exhaust steam which would otherwise have gone
to waste. However, an exhaust injector also cannot work when the locomotive is stationary;
later exhaust injectors could use a supply of live steam if no exhaust steam was available.

11
X. CONCLUSION

The main principle of the steam injector is simple fluid mechanics. This device can be
broken down in to three regions namely: motive region, suction region, and the mixture region.
There are two nozzle present which enable conversion of high pressure to high velocity. However,
for the motive nozzle, it primary function is just the conversion of pressure to velocity. While the
other nozzle, the converting diverging nozzle, causes a compression due to the change in velocities
and pressure which also cause the liquids to be mixed together. It is safe to conclude that the
principle of the steam injector, along with the parts and its functions has been studied.

Secondly, the operation of the steam injector is simple enough. However, there are multiple
points to be considered in order to know properties such as enthalpy, mass of fluids entering and
exiting the system. The analysis come in the energy balance. Since there is an inlet and an outlet,
the mass of steam and mass of water will combine to form the mass of the mixture. While another
equation can be formed due to the notion of compression, we can use enthalpy values along with
its corresponding mass values to obtained the mass of steam and water. We therefore conclude that
the mass of water present is much greater than the mass of steam. This is proven by the fact that
the hose is discharging mostly water at a certain temperature.

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REFERENCES

How Steam Injector Works. (2019). Retrieved from

http://www.mekanizmalar.com/how-steam-injectors-work.html

Mass Balance. (2019). Retrieved from

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/mass-balance

Mass Energy. (2019). Retrieved

https://projects.ncsu.edu/project/foodengineer/231/notes/mass-energy/Mass-

Energy-ppt(3).pdf

Injector. (2019). Retrieved https://www.saylor.org/site/wp-

content/uploads/2011/04/Injector.pdf

Direct Steam Injection Heating of Liquid Food Products Retrieved from

http://digital.library.okstate.edu/etd/umi-okstate-1591.pdf

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