How do Ejectors Work?

Answer

Operation of Ejectors is based upon Bernoulli’s Principle which states: -

‘When the speed of a fluid increases its pressure decreases and vice
versa’.

The principle is demonstrated by air moving over the top of a piece of

paper is moving quicker
than the air underneath. Thus, the local pressure on the top surface of the paper is less than
on the underside. The resulting pressure imbalance causes the paper to rise.

First Diagram
Shows a length of pipe which includes a valve. The pipe is arranged to discharge to atmosphere. At the
point of discharge there is a restriction (or a nozzle). The upstream side of the pipe is connected to a
pressure source. The valve is closed so there is no flow. Upstream of the valve there is pressure
energy. The arrangement is very similar to that of a garden hose connected to a domestic water tap.

Second Diagram
When the valve is opened the fluid can pass through the pipe and discharged out of the end. Because
there is a nozzle at the discharge of the pipe, we can make the following observations:-
a) There is a pressure on the upstream side of the nozzle.
b) A jet of fluid, moving faster than the fluid within the pipe, emerges from the nozzle.

So, on the upstream side of the nozzle there is high pressure and low velocity and at the nozzle
discharge there is low pressure and high velocity.

The nozzle has converted the pressure energy available upstream of the nozzle into kinetic (or velocity)
energy.
Now, if we were able to see the surrounding air in the region of the nozzle discharge, we would see that
there would be eddy currents of air, circulating around the jet. In other words, the jet of fluid emerging
from the nozzle has imparted some of it’s kinetic energy onto the surrounding air.

Third Diagram
If we then placed a tube with open ends around the area of the nozzle discharge, we would see that the
eddy currents had disappeared and that they had been replaced by a steady flow of air moving through
the tube, in a direction from left to right, as shown in the diagram.

Fourth Diagram
If we then blank off the upstream end of the tube and added a side inlet, we would see that the air would
be sucked in through the side inlet and discharged from the end of the tube. We now have a simple
device that is capable of pumping the surrounding gas. This is a very basic form of an Ejector.
Summary
The ‘device’ we have created uses the available pressure energy in a fluid to do work on (pump) a
secondary fluid.

Ejector Design
This diagram shows the basic components of an Ejector used in the Oil and Gas industry.
This Ejector was designed for use with gas. It has similarities with the “basic” Ejector developed on the
previous slide.
These are:-

1. There are three connections. One for the high pressure fluid, one for the gas sucked in (or
entrained) and one
for the discharge.
2. The gas entrained comes in at the side.
3. There is a nozzle for converting the pressure energy of the high pressure fluid into kinetic
energy.

The biggest difference between this and the previous slide is the venturi shape towards the discharge
end of the Ejector. This part is called the Diffuser.

The Diffuser is designed to firstly mix the two incoming streams. Then, when mixing is complete, the
diverging section slows the mixture down, thereby increasing it’s pressure. This is the reverse of the
process occurring in the nozzle. This feature enables the Ejector to discharge at a pressure that is
greater than that at the suction branch. Thus, the Ejector is capable of compressing or boosting the
pressure of the fluid entrained.

Summary
Ejectors use a high pressure fluid to compress low pressure fluid to an intermediate pressure.

Other Terminology
Ejectors are also often referred to as Jet Pumps or Eductors, but in gas production they are commonly
referred to as Gas Ejectors
and in oil production, Jet Pumps.
Eductors
Eductors (also known as jet pumps
ejectors, and Venturi pumps) are the
most efficient way to pump or move
many types of liquids and gases in
the petrochemical, process, and
power industries. Each ultra-smooth
unit complies with ASME/ANSI B16.5
standards. The Tank Liquid Agitator
(TLA), with no moving parts, can be
used in a wide variety of open vessels
or closed tanks. "In-tank" mounting
eliminates the need for costly
mounting structures above tanks,
while investment costs are minimized
by utilizing existing transfer pumps.

Water jet eductors utilize the

kinetic energy of one liquid to cause
the flow of another. Eductors consist
of a converging nozzle, a body and a
diffuser and resemble syphons in
appearance. In operation, the
pressure energy of the motive liquid
is converted to velocity energy by the
converging nozzle. The high velocity
liquid flow then entrains the suction
liquid. Complete mixing of the motive
and suction is performed in the body and diffuser section. The mixture of liquids is then converted back to
an intermediate pressure after passing through the diffuser.

Tank Eductors are designed for "in-tank"applications. The TLA operates on the principle of flow dynamics
pressurized fluid is accelerated through the nozzle to become a high velocity stream that entrains tank
contents and intimately mixes with them. This combined stream exits the TLA at a high velocity creating a
flow field capable of causing additional agitation and mixing the tank contents.

TANK MIXING EDUCTORS

For Plating – Cleaner – E-Coat

Systems

Eductors use a venturi design, which enables

small pumps to circulate large volumes of
tank solution. When pumping is used for
solution agitation, the use of an eductor will
circulate four to five gallons of solution in
the tank for every one-gallon you pump. If
tanks are heated or require fume exhaust, a
major cost saving is realized using solution
agitation as opposed to air agitation -- air
makeup and heat lost is reduced. In addition,
the solution is not subject to the
introduction of addition oil or dirt as a
result of the air supply.

Tanks have used pumps without eductors for

solution agitation for years. Now with the
use of eductors, the efficiency of this
process is increased. Eductors will reduce
the energy consumption of the pump's motor
and will probably allow a smaller and less
expensive pump to be used to perform the
same job.

If you are using eductors on a

fresh or salt water aquarium -
Click Here

Whatever your chemical solution may be, a tank mixing eductor that will greatly
enhance the ability of your pumping system to properly circulate that solution.
Eductors are constructed of polypropylene, PVDF, cast iron, alloy 20 and 316SS.

Most of the applications that we have experienced in the past will

see the following results with just the addition of eductors:

• 2 to 3 times the circulation rate vs. open end outlets.

• Reduced amp draw for the circulation pump - Eductors have a
payback by reducing your electrical costs.

HOW EDUCTORS WORK:

As the solution is pumped through an eductor's orifice, a low pressure area is
created that acts
to pull solution
from behind the
bell shape of the
eductor and direct
the solution out of
the bell end. For
each gallon of
solution that is
pumped through the eductor, three or four gallons of additional solution is
circulated within the tank. As one of the most cost-efficient and effective ways
for manufacturers to get the best performance from their re-circulating process
tanks, it is easy to see why tank mixing eductors are the design of choice for all
major manufacturers.

Eductors are currently installed in the following types of re-circulating process

tanks:
• Plating tanks
• Cleaning tanks
• Phosphating tanks
• E-coat paint tanks
• Sludge tanks
• Anodizing tanks
• Cooling towers
• Fertilizer tanks
• Pulp tanks
• Decorative fountains
 • Paint booths • Salt water aquariums - Reef tanks

Performance – The flow rate through the eductor is dependent upon the pressure
available from the circulation pump. Most systems are the most energy efficient in
the 10 to 15 PSI areas. (23 to 35 feet of pressures). The ratio of pumped vs.
circulated will remain the same independent upon the amount of solution being
pumped through the nozzle (orifice).

Molded Thermoplastic Eductors - polypropylene and PVDF (Kynar)

To determine circulation, multiply the nozzle flow by five (5).

(1 gallon pumped = 5 gallons circulated)

• Smaller pumps require less capital $

• Less electricity required to run pumps $
• Less friction (heat) created in the pumping system
• More circulation means less "settling" of solids:
• Improved performance from filtration systems - use on discharge of filter
system
• Better control of solution uniformity (composition)
• Less or no air reduced heat loss of tank

Eductors molded in polypropylene:

o Good in many applications up to 175° F

o For alkaline cleaner tanks
o Will not corrode in most acid solutions
o Adds no metal/contaminates to solution chemistry
o Fiberglass reinforced for good mechanical strength
o Smooth plastic resists build-up of scale and plugging

Eductors also available in PVDF:

o Premium quality, chemical-resistant plastic

o Use for electroless nickel tanks
o Good in many applications up to 300° F

Metallic Eductors

Investment cast 316 SS – 3/8" – 1 ½" – provide 5 gallons of solution movement for
each gallon pumped through the eductor.

Sand Cast Metals – Cast Iron – Alloy 20 – 316SS (2" and 3" only) – provides 4 gallon
of solution movement for each gallon pumped through the eductor.
This diagram shows how
eductors are used to promote
circulation across a
rectangular tank bottom and
direct this flow toward the
pump intake. Of course, there
are numerous possibilities to
achieve quite dramatic results
when eductors are used in
combination with adjustable
joints which allow for ultimate
"fine tuning" of your system’s
flow. In any case, contact KTH
Sales to determine the
configuration which best suits
your specific needs. Pumps and
inline filtration systems can be
supplied for most applications.

Note: Most plating solution agitation applications will use 3/8" orifice eductors -
solution MIXING applications is dependent upon the size of the tank and the
performance of the pump.

Liquid & Water Jet Eductors

Liquid Jet Eductors use the kinetic energy of a motive liquid to entrain another liquid,
completely mix the two, and then discharge the mixture against a counter pressure
and are used in large numbers throughout industry for pumping and mixing
operations.

Applications are so numerous, it is impossible to note all of them. General uses

include lifting, pumping, mixing, and agitating of liquids as well as handling granular
solids and slurries. Some of the typical applications can be seen below:

• Draining flooded cellars, Emptying tanks and sumps or

bunds, Pumping and mixing operations in oil treating
systems
• De-watering sand and coal barges, Introducing anti-
knock fluids and colouring matter into gasoline
• Continuous blending, Acidifying, Causticizing of oils,
Mixing drilling mud, Producing emulsions
• Pumping food products, Pumping sand and filter clay or
activated carbon
• Tank mixing, and various Proportioning operations

Liquid jet eductors consist of three basic components, namely a converging nozzle, a
diffuser (or venturi), and a body to hold these parts in their relative positions and to
provide a suction (or mixing) chamber. In addition, they can be equipped with
accessories such as regulating spindles, snap valves and floats to control operation.
When designing eductors experience is all-important to correctly design the nozzle,
diffuser, and body and their relative positions as they are all highly critical and vary
according to the physical properties of the liquids being handled.

As an example of eductor performance in a typical use, a 1.5 Inch Jet Eductor

discharging against a 1 BarG back pressure will empty a 2 Cubic Meter water tank in
less than 1 hour using water at only 4 BarG as the sole source of motive power.

Liquid jet eductors are manufactured in a variety of types and sizes as well as
materials, our standard Type 264 and 266 ranges from 0.5 Inch to 6 Inch in size
where as the Type 242 unit can range from 0.5 Inch up to and beyond 24 Inch.
Variables such as pressure, temperature, density, required entrainment rates, and
operating conditions must all be considered before determining the correct type and
size of eductor to best suit to your requirements.

No other pumping & mixing device offers all these outstanding features:

• Low Cost - Units are small in relation to the work they

do and cost is correspondingly low.
• Self Priming - Eductors are self-priming. They operate
equally well in continuous or intermittent service.
• No Moving Parts - Eductors are exceedingly simple
and reliable. There are no moving parts to wear or
break in a basic eductor. Even when equipped with
accessories such as regulating spindles, snap valves,
float mechanisms, they require little attention, only
periodic inspection and maintenance.
• Corrosion and Erosion Resistant - Because they
can be made of practically any workable material, or
coated with corrosion-resistant materials, eductors can
be made highly resistant to the actions of the liquids
handled or the environment in which located.
• Safe - Eductors can be used in hazardous locations
where electrically operated alternates would require
explosion proofing at considerable cost.
• Versatile - Various piping arrangements permit
adapting to environmental conditions. Eductors of
various types can handle granular solids, semi-solids,
and slurries without contamination.
• Automatically Controlled - Units can be adapted for
automatic control by means of a pressure liquid
regulating spindle or a snap-valve and float
arrangement.
• Perform Double Duty - Eductors mix motive and
suction liquids intimately while pumping against a
counter pressure.
• Easy to Install - Connections can be made to suit
your piping requirements. Little space is required to
accommodate units and they are normally so light in
weight they can be supported by the piping to which
they are attached.

Sand and Mud Eductors

 The Sand and Mud Eductors are
recommended for use in pumping
out wells, bore holes, pits, tanks,
sumps and similar containers where
there is an accumulation of sand,
mud, slime or other material of a
nature not easily handled by the
standard eductors.

The Sand and Mud Eductor differ

from standard eductors as they
have an open suction port which is
designed to be submerged in the
material being handled, this allows
the eductor to entrain relatively large
solids and particles that would otherwise
block a conventional eductor. Another feature of this unit are the agitating jets
installed at the base of the eductor, these nozzles help to stir the material
surrounding the eductor and make it fluid. This effectively means the eductor can be
left buried in mud or slurry, and when operated it will begin to excavate the
surrounding solids and begin pumping.

Sizes are available in 1 Inch through to 6 Inch, with sizes up to 4 Inch supplied with
screwed connections as standard, for sizes above 4 Inch connections are flanged are
usually supplied. Typical materials of construction are Cast Iron, Carbon Steel,
Stainless Steel and Bronze, however other materials are available on request.

Typical Eductor Applications

A few of the primary applications where eductors are used can be seen below, this
list is by no means exhaustive as their uses are numerous.

Pumping & Lifting

Water jet eductors are often used to empty tanks or to pump out sumps, bunds and
cellars. The motive line should be fitted with a regulating valve and a pressure gauge
while the suction line should be fitted with an strainer or mesh to prevent large
particles entering the unit and causing blockages. Care should also be taken to
ensure the discharge lines are always sealed to prevent air leaking back towards the
eductor. To accomplish this either fit a U-bend to the discharge line, or always keep
the open end of the discharge pipe submerged as this will allow stable and rapid
entrainment of the suction liquid.

Where possible it is recommended that the eductor be installed a short distance

above the liquid to be entrained and that short suction lines be used, however
eductors will operate equally well with long suction lines. Care should be taken with
suction lifts greater than 4.5 meters as operating capacities are considerably
reduced.
Pumping Additives in to Liquids

This diagram above shows an Eductor being used to introduce an additive into boiler
feed water. A percentage of the water flowing from the pump is bypassed into the
eductor where it acts as the motive force to draw in and entrain the additive. This is
the preferred method of introducing additives as it does not reduce pressure in the
main line downstream of the pump, and also allows the eductor to be kept to a much
more economical size.