Patent ID: 7637484

Claim:
A method of improving steam distribution in an annular gap steam injector comprising: introducing product into a product inlet of a housing of the injector, the product inlet being in fluid communication with an annular product gap in the housing so that the product introduced into the product inlet flows into the annular product gap; introducing steam into a steam inlet of the housing, the steam inlet being in fluid communication with an annular steam gap in the housing so that the steam introduced into the steam inlet flows into the annular steam gap; bringing together the steam in the annular steam gap and the product in the annular product gap to heat the product; the heated product departing from the housing by way of an outlet; and increasing pressure across the injector to reduce a possibility of implosion of steam bubbles, the pressure across the injector being increased by conveying the heated product through a throttle washer positioned relative to the outlet to increase the pressure immediately before the heated product leaves the injector, the throttle washer comprising a plate provided with a plurality of through holes.