The thermal vapor recompression (TVR) builds on the same principle as the mechanical alternative, but uses only a portion of the resulting vapor for heating the system.

The compression of the steam for heat recovery takes place in a steam jet pump. This is usually designed for a specific operating point and works on the jet pump principle.

A certain amount of steam, the so-called motive steam, is required for the operation of a thermal vapor compressor. The resulting energy savings correspond in many cases in about an additional evaporator stage.