Spray Nozzles in Vent Pipe (pressure drop)

[jmaclren]

Hi,

I am currently looking to modify the vent of an exisitng drainscooler which cools condensate from HP steam lines so that the steam plume is reduced. The steam traps are checked and repaired regularly and still there is always a fair sized plume.
My current idea is to insert a spray nozzle into the vent with the aim of condensing the steam passing up the vent. Does anybody have any ideas on the effect this spray will have on pressure drop in the vent and if so how it can be quantified.

Regards
Jon

 

[UmeshMathur]

jmaclren:

The steam in the line arises from the flashing of high pressure condensate leaving the traps.

I expect you're recovering the condensate as BFW. You will need to do a complete survey of your steam system to estimate the flash steam from all users. You will also need to calculate, via a heat balance, the required cold BFW spray into the line before the vent. Finally, I recommend using either a long length of pipe or an in-line mixer to ensure proper condensation of the flash steam into the spray liquid BEFORE you get to the vertical vent line.