×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Propane condenser return line

Propane condenser return line

Propane condenser return line

(OP)
Hi, all
I have to relocate an existing air cooler propane condenser across an internal street of the plant. I got the isometric drawings from piping crew, and I realized that the return piping of liquid propane comes out from the condenser header, then goes up to cross the street on an existing bridge, and goes down to the normal level of pipe rack. The difference of levels is about 2.7 m for the up run and 1.4 m for the down run. Normally this type of pipe (condensed propane)are "slope - no pockets", so I suspect a serious operative problem of this line in the future.
Are my fears correct? Any help?

RE: Propane condenser return line

recharte,

your concerns are likely valid.  condensed propane from condensor should be piped such that there is minimal hydraulic impact to condensor operation.  any vertical elevation changes certainly factor into the overall design.

see this article (if it helps any):
http://www.stratusengr.com/Articles/ProcessHydraulics.pdf

good luck!
-pmover

RE: Propane condenser return line

(OP)
Thank you pmover for your help!!!

RE: Propane condenser return line

I've always tried to get a liquid seal on the C3 condensor because you want to make sure all the C3 condenses.

RE: Propane condenser return line


What is the operation of the condenser related to ? For example, is it a part of a refrigeration circuit or of a depropanizing column ?

The general issue of having the (S&T) condenser at grade and the downstream receiver at an elevation is discussed by Lieberman and Lieberman in their A working guide to process equipment McGraw-Hill, chapter 13.

The next chapter deals, among others, with flow maldistribution in air-cooled condensers.


RE: Propane condenser return line

Isn't the simple solution to raise the elevation of the condenser in it's new location about 3 meters, so, once condensed, the liquid goes downhill only?

Good luck,
Latexman

RE: Propane condenser return line

(OP)
To 25362.
Thank you. The condenser is part of a refigeration circuit.

To Letexman.
Thank you. Yes, if I relocate the condenser 3 m higher everything will be OK. But I want to be sure that the recomendation is totally justified.

RE: Propane condenser return line

Self-draining and avoidance of 2 phase flow, oh yeah, it's justified.

Good luck,
Latexman

RE: Propane condenser return line


The 2.7 m upward pipe run may be surrounded by hot air coming out a forced-draft air-cooled condenser. Is that the expected situation ?

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources