Pick direct steam injection is an excellent alternative to conventional sludge heating methods, offering dramatic reduction in capital and installation costs while providing exact temperature control. The benefits of preheating sludge upstream of the thermophilic digesters are well documented. However, doing so is a costly proposition, especially with traditional processes using indirect heater exchangers.

Pick Heaters, Inc. offers steam injection heaters designed specifically for sludge service. These couple Pick's proven method of steam injection with a fabricated housing - available as inline or elbow configuration to best suit your sludge piping arrangement. Generous internal clearances and smooth contours impose negligible pressure drop and allow free passage of stringy matter. Hard facing is available on the internal surgaces of the housing and the injector can be surface hardened to resist erosion when heating sludge containing abrasive grit.

Energy Efficient

When compared with indirect shell and tube or plate and frame heat exchangers, Pick Direct Steam Injection Heaters can cut fuel costs dramatically – up to 28% – because 100% of the available energy from the steam is absorbed by the liquid.

Exceptional Temperature Control
Accurate temperature control throughout the entire operating range conserves energy and assures product quality. The Pick Direct Steam Injection Heater adapts quickly to load changes and maintains precise temperature control to within 1°C or less in many systems.

Wide Operating Range
Unlimited turndown both in process flow rates and heat load.

No Steam Hammer
Pick's unique variable orifice injector automatically maintains a minimum differential between the steam and water pressures. This eliminates harmful vibration and steam hammer.

Low Noise Level
The Pick Direct Steam Injection Heater operates at a low noise level, normally below 85 dba…far superior to venturi-type heaters.

Low Liquid Pressure Drop
Pressure drop does not exceed 2 PSI under normal flow rates.

Complete Mixing in Heater Body
With Pick Direct Steam Injection Heaters, there is no need for straight run discharge piping after the heater as required by venturi-type heaters.

Instantaneous
Pick Heaters deliver an unlimited supply of hot water on demand, thus eliminating the need for large storage tanks.

Compact Design
When compared to conventional heat exchangers, Pick Direct Steam Injection Heaters take up only a fraction of the space.  No matter what your plant size or floor space constraints, there's always room for a Pick Heater.