The distributor is part of the duty
Uniform wetting depends on a distributor suited to the liquid and operating flow. Incomplete wetting can create dry areas. GEA discusses recirculation and compartment arrangements as possible ways to support wetting; these are design choices, not universal prescriptions. Alfa Laval describes spray-nozzle and distribution-plate approaches. See the manufacturer references below.
Ask for evidence at low load
Request a minimum-load assessment using the expected final concentration and operating temperature. A clean-water demonstration at maximum flow may not represent the process. Record whether the quoted turndown requires recirculation, altered pressure or a different product path, and whether those changes affect quality.
Bring the feed details
Provide the designer with any suspended particles, foaming behavior and measured viscosity across the concentration range. Ask which feed preparation and distributor inspection steps are necessary. Request accessible inspection points and a procedure for identifying a restriction. Do not assume a larger pump corrects a distribution defect.
Put distribution on the acceptance sheet
Suggested review items: agreed feed envelope, stable flow at each nominated load, distributor access, cleaning coverage and the approach to interruption recovery. Ask the supplier to state the evidence method for each item and any excluded feed conditions. Retain the approved distributor documentation with the process design basis.
Technical references
Define the duty before the equipment.
Prepare feed, product and utility information in one local project brief.