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[Ahmadhamzahperta]

I recently was tasked to help operate and oversee the drying of sludge using low temperature dryer which powered by hot water heated from excess steam.

To prepare myself i search about things that could go wrong in a steam/water process. I read that steam could create a vacuum when condensing and force water to fill that vacuum abruptly causing something similar to an explosion. So far from what i understand, the only way to prevent this phenomena is to prevent the condensation entirely along the pipeline. But now i wonder, how is this prevented in a heat exchanger system? or in an condenser system? where condensing is kinda inevitable

[latexman]

But now i wonder, how is this prevented in a heat exchanger system? or in an condenser system? where condensing is kinda inevitable

Like in a “Pick heater”? Pick heaters are engineered with a specific design to prevent pressure buildup and a helical internal chamber to ensure immediate and efficient mixing of steam with water, which eliminates the conditions that cause water hammer.

Water hammer is prevented in a steam heat exchanger by physically draining condensate from the system and controlling the startup and shutdown process. Key methods include using properly sized and located steam traps to remove condensate, ensuring the piping is sloped for drainage, and slowly opening valves during startup to warm the pipes gradually and avoid a dangerous mix of high-pressure steam and sub-cooled condensate.