Reboiler design for Vacuum Conditions 1

[OilmanZW]

Should a Reboiler be designed for vacuum conditions?; we assume this may occur in case where the steam is blocked in or steam out of the unit. The product is water with dissolved gases. How common is it in industry to design for vacuum conditions?

 

[gr2vessels]

Oilman,
The process equipment is frequently designed for vacuum conditions;- do not confuse with a non-process condition design of 'steam-out' condition, which occurs at relatively low temperature, low pressure. However, this condition could lead to some level of vacuum in an blocked vessel, pipe, etc. In many cases the process engineers prefer to specify full vacuum at ambient temperature as complement to the steam-out condition.
Yes, a Reboiler is frequently designed for full vacuum condition, for process reasons and/or steam-out condition.
Cheers,
gr2vessels