Jet Syphon

Using a steam or air to entrain liquids, solids or gases

Steam Jet Syphons

Steam Jet Syphons operate on the steam jet principle utilising the energy of steam under pressure to pump, mix liquids and handle solids. In operation syphons use the kinetic energy of motive steam to entrain another liquid or slurry, completely mix the two, and then discharge the mixture against a head or counter pressure.

Syphons can be used for the handling of corrosive or abrasive liquids and solids because of their design simplicity and the absence of moving parts. They are also especially well suited for processes where heating is required in addition to pumping since the pumping is accomplished for the cost of the heating.

Steam Jet Syphons are used in large numbers throughout industry for pumping, mixing and heating operations, some of their uses can be seen below:

  • Intermittent pumping of liquids from tanks, pits, sumps and bunds
  • Pumping filtrate from vacuum vessels and condensate from surface condensers
  • Supplying heated water to the jackets of stills and graining bowls
  • Removing liquid from pickling baths, Extracting chemicals in reaction chambers
  • Moving powdered material or material in granular form, Filling and emptying gas holder tanks
  • Handling soap solutions in textile plants, Pumping sugar juice and various liquids in canning plants

Steam Jet Syphons 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.

Syphons offer numerous advantages over conventional pumps, within the syphon there are no moving parts to wear or break and therefore no parts to require extensive maintenance. Since the syphon is small in relation to the work it does, the cost unit is correspondingly low. Syphons are easy to install and they may be located in remote and inaccessible places without requiring constant attention.

Steam jet syphons can also be made from practically any workable material. Depending upon service conditions units can be made from Cast Iron, Bronze, Stainless Steel, Aluminium, Teflon, P.V.C., Kynar, Polyester Fibreglass, Hastelloy, Carbon Steel, or many other materials - this is a factor not available in most other pumping and mixing devices where special material prices are difficult to justify. Typical Syphon sizes range from 0.5 Inch to 3 Inch for the Type 217 and can be equipped with either flanged or screwed connections. The Type 219 Syphon is used where line sizes are 4 Inches and above and are typically equipped with flanged connections.

Air Jet Syphons

Air or Gas Jet Syphons operate on the same principle as Steam Jet Syphons by using the energy of a gas under pressure to pump liquids and handle solids. In operation syphons use the kinetic energy of motive gas to entrain another fluid, and then discharge the mixture against a head or counter pressure.

Unlike Steam Jet Syphons consideration must be given to the motive gas being used as gases that will not readily condense in to the suction liquid can limit the operating envelope. Practically any source of gas can be used to operate a Jet Syphon, such as bottled Nitrogen, Argon, or compressed air. This can give greater flexibility if the on-site motive supply resources are limited or the installation is in remote location.

Typically uses of Air or Gas Jet Syphons are:

  • Sampling liquids or granular solids when the suction fluid must not be contaminated
  • Intermittent pumping of liquids from tanks, pits, sumps and bunds
  • Applications where steam is not available

(Image - Type 217 Steam Jet Syphon)

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 - Syphons are self-priming. They operate equally well in continuous or intermittent service.
  • No Moving Parts - Syphons are exceedingly simple and reliable. There are no moving parts to wear or break in a basic syphon. 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, syphons can be made highly resistant to the actions of the liquids handled or the environment in which located.
  • Safe - Syphons can be used in hazardous locations where electrically operated alternates would require explosion proofing at considerable cost.
  • Versitile - Various piping arrangements permit adapting to environmental conditions. Syphons 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 - Syphons mix motive and suction liquids intimately while pumping against a counter pressure.
  • Heating - Syphons are especially suited to applications where heating is required in addition to pumping since the pumping is accomplished for the cost of the heating.
  • 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.