A multi-effect evaporator is a type of industrial equipment used for concentrating solutions by evaporating the solvent (usually water) from a liquid mixture. It utilizes the principle of heat transfer to efficiently remove water or other solvents from a liquid, resulting in a more concentrated solution or a solid product. Multi-effect evaporators are commonly used in various industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and wastewater treatment.

The term “multi-effect” refers to the fact that these evaporators consist of multiple evaporator vessels, or “effects”, that are interconnected. The heat generated in one effect is used to drive the evaporation process in subsequent effects, increasing energy efficiency. This is achieved through the use of steam or another heat source that transfers heat from one effect to the next