How to measure flash steam flow rate
How to measure flash steam flow rate
(OP)
We have a direct steam oven which uses "once through" steam to cook chicken fillets, the condensate goes direct to drain.
There is a very significant flash steam plume emitting from the oven flue, from which we would like to recover heat (using a heat pipe heat exchanger) to pre-heat wash down water.
Problem is to size the heat exchanger, we need to know the mass flow rate of the flash steam.
I have considered doing a mass balance of the oven in order to calculate the flash steam, but there are too many unknown variables, this method would be inaccurate.
Does anyone know of another methodology we could use?
There is a very significant flash steam plume emitting from the oven flue, from which we would like to recover heat (using a heat pipe heat exchanger) to pre-heat wash down water.
Problem is to size the heat exchanger, we need to know the mass flow rate of the flash steam.
I have considered doing a mass balance of the oven in order to calculate the flash steam, but there are too many unknown variables, this method would be inaccurate.
Does anyone know of another methodology we could use?





RE: How to measure flash steam flow rate
Also, if you add a heat exchanger, that will put backpressure on the oven. Was it designed for pressure? If it was, the chicken will cook a little faster!
Good luck,
Latexman
Technically, the glass is always full - 1/2 air and 1/2 water.
RE: How to measure flash steam flow rate
RE: How to measure flash steam flow rate
If you don't have any idea, I'd likely measure the condensate going to sewer and back calculate the amount of flash steam. If the amount of condensate flow and steam pressure is varying all the time, MisterE's method might be one you want to look at.
RE: How to measure flash steam flow rate
To answer your question, percent flash depends on the initial and final pressures. See attached chart from the Spirax Sarco book.
RE: How to measure flash steam flow rate
Typical energy balance methods, measure steam input flowrate, calculate heat losses from oven to ambient, calculate heat losses to product, then calculate available heat in the exhaust steam.
I do not understand the "flash steam" element here?