Can a vacuum system be used in condensate receiver?
Can a vacuum system be used in condensate receiver?
(OP)
Hi, all,
I am wondering whether a vacuum pump can be used to assist condensate flow back to a condensate receiver. Normally, there is a vent in the receiver to vent the flashed steam generated by high pressure condensate. How can I handle the flashed steam problem if a vacuum is used? What kind of design should be considered in this system?
Thanks
I am wondering whether a vacuum pump can be used to assist condensate flow back to a condensate receiver. Normally, there is a vent in the receiver to vent the flashed steam generated by high pressure condensate. How can I handle the flashed steam problem if a vacuum is used? What kind of design should be considered in this system?
Thanks





RE: Can a vacuum system be used in condensate receiver?
RE: Can a vacuum system be used in condensate receiver?
I tried this years ago and ran into the following:
1) Your condensate receiver at the boiler room has to be rated for FV (full vacuum) service; this is not usually the case and requires an expensive re-rate.
2) You are theoretically limited to a maximum pressure assist equal only to the maximum vacuum: 14.6 psi; this is not a large delta P by hydraulic standards.
3) Creating a vacuum at the condensate receiver only makes the NPSHa for the boiler feed pump worse; you may have to revamp the pump's configuration - or maybe change out the pump! This could get expensive.
3) As pmureiko suggests, I found that locating a small centrifugal at the condensate source proved to be more effective and controllable; in fact, I did this on an area-wise principle: I used various similar sources to the same condensate collection system and pumped the condensate back to the power house on level demand. Pumping liquid fluids is much more cost effective than inducing them with vacuum.
I would still do the same today. I hope this experience helps.
Art Montemayor
Spring, TX
RE: Can a vacuum system be used in condensate receiver?
Hope this helps.
saxon
RE: Can a vacuum system be used in condensate receiver?
RE: Can a vacuum system be used in condensate receiver?
Thank you for your input.
Saxon,
Can you explain the function and principle of powered pumping traps? I never used it before.
Thanks
RE: Can a vacuum system be used in condensate receiver?
www.armstrong-intl.com/products/condpumps/pdf/bt230c.pdf
saxon
RE: Can a vacuum system be used in condensate receiver?
www.armstrong-intl.com
saxon
RE: Can a vacuum system be used in condensate receiver?
Thanks a lot. That is really helpful.
lotus