2 replies to this topic

[Chand]

In any industry the utility design is always an issue of headache.
Thogh always neglected the steam and condensate system in any major industry consumes the largest power and acts as drain.

I would like to have a good modelling of the condensate system which includes the back pressure calc and also the max flow rate at a specified pressure.
Kindly helpme in this regard.

[Art Montemayor]

Chand:

I'd like to help you by suggesting that you identify some basic Scope Of Work in order to facilitate others to contribute directly to what you are asking. Your definition needs details and specifics in order to generate specific and positive contributions. A Scope of Work is what is prepared for this type of exercise. It doesn't have to be long and drawn out. For example, what kind of steam condensate system are you targeting? You seem to mention that you are going to depend on the steam pressure system to develop the necessary driving force back to send the condensate back to the power plant. Is this part of your scope? Or do you want to consider using a system of satellite condensate collection drums with local condensate pumps contributing the driving force to return the condensate?

Is the condensate a product of power turbines, steam turbines (condensing or back-pressure?) or is it produced by steam heat exchangers (& condensers)? How big is the system? Is the condensate produced on a steady-state basis, or is it cyclical or from time-to-time? What are the flows and the required distances to return the condensate? Do you want to economically evaluate the system? I assume you will want to know what you are going to spend to justify the condensate recovery; for this, you will need steam costs, water costs, electrical costs, etc. Do you want to evaluate this also? Or separately?

In order to avoid having to generate a lot of questions, I believe it is much simpler and more accurate and efficient if you spell out the SOW up front so that respondents know what they are addressing and how they can be of help. As you can see, this is not a small project; nor is it a simple query. A lot of work is involved.

I hope this helps kick it off.

[Chand]

Montemayor

Thank you for your exhaustive list of questions.
Here what I wanted is a very simple info. i.e., the system considered is only condensate evacuation system and the driving force is simply the steam condensing.
And I dont think the economics willn't come into picture as what I wanted is simply some model for the condensate header design. Does the normal flow models holds good for the condensate system which is just at the saturated condition. Any malfunctioning of the steam trap will create the two phase problem, and I needn't mention the ensuing problems.
In short what I want is some two phase flow model.
I hope atleast now my requiremnets are clear.