Vortex Breaker Design Guide
Vortex Breaker Design Guide
(OP)
Hello,
I need to determine whether a 275 psig steam drum will require a vortex breaker at its bottom nozzle that goes to the suction of a pump. I have a 12" outlet nozzle and suction line to the pump. The flow rate is 1,600 gpm. Liquid level in the drum is about 5 ft above the bottome nozzle, and the bottom nozzle is 20 ft above the pump suction nozzle.
Can anyone share any guidelines/rules of thumbs/references for this?
Thanks in advance,
David
I need to determine whether a 275 psig steam drum will require a vortex breaker at its bottom nozzle that goes to the suction of a pump. I have a 12" outlet nozzle and suction line to the pump. The flow rate is 1,600 gpm. Liquid level in the drum is about 5 ft above the bottome nozzle, and the bottom nozzle is 20 ft above the pump suction nozzle.
Can anyone share any guidelines/rules of thumbs/references for this?
Thanks in advance,
David





RE: Vortex Breaker Design Guide
I found this same value (1 foot per foot per second) in Cameron Hydraulic Data related to submergence for side intake dry pit pumps.
Johnny Pellin
RE: Vortex Breaker Design Guide
Regards
StoneCold
RE: Vortex Breaker Design Guide
S = D + 2.3DFr
S is the minimum required submergence to avoid vortex formation.
D is the nozzle diameter and Fr is the dimensionless Froud number, Fr = V/(gD)**0.5
V is the nozzle flow velocity and g the gravitational acceleration.
RE: Vortex Breaker Design Guide
You may refer to "Pressure Vessel Handbook", Megyesy, Vortex Breaker (page 320, 12th edition).