Upflow in vertical condensate pipe
Upflow in vertical condensate pipe
(OP)
How feasible is an upflow in a vertical condensate pipe, without using a pressurized (flash) tank?
Please assume modulating steam consumption.
Please assume modulating steam consumption.





RE: Upflow in vertical condensate pipe
RE: Upflow in vertical condensate pipe
You said you do not have a pressurised flash tank, but I assume you have a tank of some sort to allow separation of the two phases or you could have some entrainment of the liquid with the vapor.
Katmar Software
Engineering & Risk Analysis Software
http://katmarsoftware.com
RE: Upflow in vertical condensate pipe
Actually I do not have any kind of tank downstream of the steam trap. The condensate from the heat exchanger passes an isolation valve, a drain point, the steam trap and a check valve. Then is goes upward, 10 feet. I suspect the designer of the installation has overlook somethings...
Please your thoughts on the current condensate return system.
RE: Upflow in vertical condensate pipe
During the early stages of process development you often see lines on flowsheets that end with arrow heads and are labelled something like "to safe disposal" or "to return header". As the design is tightened up these lines get developed into proper designs, but it sounds like yours escaped the net.
Apart from going nowhere, it sounds like a reasonable design.
Katmar Software
Engineering & Risk Analysis Software
http://katmarsoftware.com
RE: Upflow in vertical condensate pipe
To avoid hammering by imploding steam bubbles these shouldn't meet colder condensate in the overhead return line.
RE: Upflow in vertical condensate pipe
This is a common problem, often called 'Stall'. This will cause the water to back-up in the heat exchanger, possible water hammer, and poor process performance.