Mud Drum Heater Coil Question

[mpeck1982]

I have a boiler with a mud drum heater coil designed for 500 psi at 650 deg F steam. Currently, the plant is using low pressure steam at 150 psi in the mud drum heater coil. Should this cause any concern? Shouldn't I be using high pressure steam (i.e. 500 psi @ 650 deg F) through the mud drum heating coil? What are the consequences for utilizing low pressure steam?

 

[chicopee]

Are you sure that it is a mud drum as there will be deposits in mud drums to be flushed out periodically? I have never seen heating coils in mud drums whether these boilers were operated by utility companies, owners of mercantile and manufacturing facilities, or owners of residences.

 

[macmet]

I must admit that I have never actually seen a heating coil in the mud drum, but I know they do it.

I'm not really sure of the detrimental effects of using the lower pressure steam other than you would have less heat to keep the drum, and boiler, warm. I believe the specific volume of the steam will be much less too, so you will have to monitor the steam temperature closely.

 

[mpeck1982]

They do have mud drums with heating coils. This one is a first for me too. It does have a manual blowdown that operators have to open/close to get the sediments out. The heating coil is used for a hot standby. Just to keep the boiler warm when not online producing steam. There might not be any risk at using low pressure steam. Looks like I might have to get in touch with the manufacturer on this one.

 

[rmw]

High pressure steam has lower specific volume - meaning more BTU's per cubic inch of heater coil volume and higher temperature so you will get more energy into the water in the mud drum with the HP steam. Is the low presure steam doing the job? The only consequence will be less heat transfer and slower or lower heat up times.

rmw

PS: thanks for the trip down memory lane. Been a long time since I've seen heating coils in a mud drum. I jad forgotten that that even existed.