High-Efficiency Industrial Solutions
A Multiple Effect Falling Film Evaporator (MEFFE) is an engineered thermal concentration system designed to process heat-sensitive liquids with maximum energy efficiency. The core operational principle relies on the feed liquid forming a thin, continuous film that flows downward under gravity along the inner surfaces of vertically aligned heat exchanger tubes.
As the liquid film descends, it absorbs heat from the condensing steam on the shell side of the tube bundle, causing partial vaporization. The co-current flow of vapor and liquid creates a high-velocity vapor core that pushes the liquid film against the tube walls, significantly enhancing the convective heat transfer coefficient ($U$-value).
By arranging multiple evaporative stages (effects) in series, the vapor generated in one effect serves as the heating medium for the subsequent effect, which operates at a lower boiling point and pressure. This cascading thermal design drastically reduces live steam consumption, making it the gold standard for large-scale concentration processes in the starch, alcohol, chemical, and pharmaceutical sectors.
Next-Generation Thermal Concentration Systems
Integrating Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) with Thermal Vapor Recompression (TVR) systems allows plants to achieve near-zero live steam consumption. By mechanically compressing the exhaust vapor, its temperature and pressure are elevated, recycling the latent heat of vaporization back into the system.
Modern evaporators utilize advanced PLC/DCS systems integrated with AI algorithms to monitor film thickness, fouling rates, and thermal efficiency in real-time. Automated feed-forward control loops adjust steam distribution and vacuum levels, preventing dry-out and optimizing Clean-in-Place (CIP) cycles.
As environmental regulations tighten globally, falling film evaporators are increasingly deployed as pre-concentrators in ZLD systems. By concentrating industrial wastewater to near-saturation points, they minimize the load on downstream crystallizers, reducing overall capital and operating costs.
Tailored Solutions for Diverse Global Industries
In corn wet milling and starch processing plants, multiple effect falling film evaporators are critical for concentrating corn steep liquor (CSL), glucose, fructose, and maltose syrups. The low residence time prevents thermal degradation and discoloration of the sugars, ensuring a high-purity final product.
For alcohol and DDGS (Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles) facilities, our evaporators concentrate thin stillage into syrup. This syrup is then blended with wet grains and dried using our ZXG Tube Bundle Dryers. The integration of waste heat recovery from the dryers into the evaporator system significantly lowers the plant's overall energy footprint.
Industrial effluents containing high concentrations of organic and inorganic salts require robust treatment. Our falling film evaporators, constructed from corrosion-resistant materials like Duplex Stainless Steel (SAF 2205) or Titanium, handle aggressive chemical streams, recovering clean water and concentrating salts for crystallization.
Concentrating amino acids, organic acids, yeast extracts, and herbal medicines requires precise temperature control. The vacuum-induced low-temperature boiling environment of our falling film systems preserves the bioactivity of these sensitive compounds while achieving high concentration ratios.
Established in 1992
Jiangsu Zongheng Concentrating and Drying Equipment Co., Ltd (formerly Yixing Yangxi Light Industry Machinery Factory) is a modern high-tech enterprise specializing in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of industrial concentration, drying, and pressure vessel equipment.
As a key member of the China Starch and Alcohol Association, we hold the Special Equipment Manufacturing License of the People's Republic of China and the prestigious ASME "U" Stamp authorization. Our state-of-the-art facility in Zhoutie Town, Yixing City, covers over 54,000 square meters, enabling us to deliver world-class process equipment to clients worldwide.
Why Global Enterprises Partner with Jiangsu Zongheng
Located in the heart of China's industrial manufacturing hub, we enjoy direct access to top-tier steel mills producing high-grade stainless steels (SS304, SS316L), duplex steels, and titanium. This local integration guarantees material traceability, consistent quality, and lower raw material costs.
Our workshops are equipped with heavy-duty rolling machines, automatic tube-to-tubesheet orbital welding systems, CNC machining centers, and advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) facilities. This level of automation ensures precise tolerances, structural integrity, and long service life of the evaporators.
To minimize on-site installation time and labor costs for our global clients, we design and pre-assemble our evaporation systems into modular skids. Structural steel, piping, valves, instrumentation, and electrical wiring are integrated and tested at our factory prior to shipment.
The global demand for energy-efficient concentration systems is growing rapidly, driven by rising energy costs and stringent environmental regulations. Multiple effect falling film evaporators are at the forefront of this transition, replacing older, energy-intensive circulation evaporators where applicable.
Jiangsu Zongheng has successfully exported equipment and provided engineering services to clients across Southeast Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. Our ability to design systems that comply with both ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) and CE (Conformité Européenne) standards allows us to serve diverse regulatory markets seamlessly.
By offering customized thermal designs—balancing capital expenditure (CAPEX) with operational expenditure (OPEX)—we ensure that our clients receive the most cost-effective solution tailored to their local utility costs (steam, electricity, and water).
A Legacy of Engineering Excellence
Established as Yixing Yangxi Light Industrial Machinery Factory, covering 15 mu of land with 45 dedicated employees, laying the foundation for our thermal equipment expertise.
Obtained ISO9001 Quality Management System certification, establishing a structured quality assurance framework across all design and manufacturing processes.
Recognized as a Jiangsu Provincial High-Tech Enterprise, reflecting our commitment to research and development in energy-efficient concentration and drying technologies.
Acquired the Special Equipment Manufacturing License of the People's Republic of China (License No.: TS2232C42) for pressure vessel fabrication.
Authorized to use the ASME "U" Stamp, marking our entry into the high-end international process equipment market.
Obtained international quality system certification (Certificate No.: 45021), aligning our operations with global standards for safety and reliability.
Today, our facility spans over 54,000 square meters with 22,000 square meters of production workshops, employing 3 senior engineers, 20+ engineers, and a total staff of 120 professionals.
Operating industrial concentration plants requires strict adherence to local safety and environmental codes. Jiangsu Zongheng ensures that all equipment is engineered and manufactured in full compliance with international standards, including ASME Section VIII Div. 1, CE-PED, and Chinese GB150 codes.
We provide comprehensive documentation packages, including material test reports (MTRs), welding procedure specifications (WPS), non-destructive testing (NDT) records, and hydrostatic test certificates, ensuring smooth local inspections and permitting.
To support our global customers, we partner with local engineering firms to offer installation supervision, commissioning assistance, operator training, and rapid spare parts delivery, minimizing downtime and ensuring optimal plant performance.
Expert Answers to Technical Queries
Engineered for Maximum Thermal Efficiency
Contact our engineering team today to discuss your specific process requirements, energy saving goals, and get a customized technical proposal.
Zongheng