Distillation Technology
Multiple Effect Distillation Plants reduce the amount of live steam to the minimum demand.

GEA Distillation is recognized for the high thermodynamic efficiencies, high product yield and high distillate purities achieved.
Multiple-effect distillation permits the repeated use of the energy supplied to a system. Energy consumption is effectively reduced by a factor about equal to the number of effects. Since a temperature difference is required for heat transfer within the reboiler, there are practical limitations to the number of effects that can be used. Maximum and minimum temperatures are, as a rule, determined by the product, or the heating steam pressure and the cooling water temperature.

Where product purities superior to feasible concentrations through rectification are required, one of these technologies come to operation: Molecular Sieve Technology, Distillation with Entrainer, and Pervaporation through Hydrophilic Membranes.

GEA uses different types of reboilers for the energy input to the distillation columns. The choice of the suitable type depends on surrounding process and product parameters.

The thermal vapor recompression applies steam jets to raise the temperature level of vapor flows in the plant. Condensation of these boosted flows is then used for the heating or evaporating of lower temperature process flows. Thereby the steam consumption is minimized.

Production lines with optimized integrated process steps.
GEA’s past fiscal year was one of significant growth and further profitability gains. In particular, the technology group substantially increased order intake, with all divisions contributing here. GEA also made progress in all Mission 30 strategic growth areas. In addition, GEA met key interim targets under its climate plan ahead of schedule. Major milestones in fiscal year 2025 were admission to the DAX index, the award of one of the largest contracts in the company’s history, and streamlining of the corporate structure.
Thanks to a new SmartParc manufacturing site, food processors in the U.K. are cutting their running costs and emissions. With GEA heating and cooling technology at its core, this collaborative production model demonstrates how innovation is accelerating the industry’s net-zero ambitions.
“Brewing eggs is like brewing beer.” It’s the kind of comparison that makes you smile – and then it clicks: Something complex suddenly feels simple. Through this personal film, set in the agricultural heartland of the U.S., we explore precision fermentation and the real-world work it takes to turn an idea into food.