Steam & Condensate Solutions (2023)

FAQs

What is steam and condensate system? ›

As steam loses heat, it turns back into water. Inevitably the steam begins to do this as soon as it leaves the. boiler. The water which forms is known as condensate, which tends to run to the bottom of the pipe and is carried along with the steam flow.

Steam is usually generated for one of two reasons: To produce electrical power, for example in power stations or co-generation plants. To supply heat for heating and process systems.

Steam lines should ideally be arranged to fall in the direction of flow, at not less than 100 mm per 10 m of pipe (1:100). This slope will ensure that gravity (and the flow of steam), will assist in moving the condensate towards drain points so that the condensate may be safely and effectively removed (see Fig.

A condensate-induced water hammer is the more powerful of the two types. It is a rapid condensation event that occurs when a steam pocket, being totally surrounded by cooler condensate, collapses into a liquid state.

When water vapor in the air (often described as humidity) comes into contact with a colder surface, the water changes from a gas to a liquid and collects onto the cold surface. This water vapor in the air that becomes liquid is referred to as condensate.

What is the typical pipe material for steam systems? Pipes for steam systems are commonly manufactured from carbon steel to ASME B 16.9 A106. The same material may be used for condensate lines, although copper tubing is preferred in some industries.

When the steam condenses in the pipe it is called condensate. This condensate water has very little impurities in it. In fact, condensate is practically 100% pure, clean water… and it's very hot, which makes it the perfect fit for boiler feed water.

Not only does the condensate contain heat, but it usually helps us recover treatment chemical in the form of volatile amines. The steam treatment amines are generally the most expensive and most hazardous chemicals in the boiler house. Reducing their usage rate saves even more dollars.

Significant fuel savings occur as most returned condensate is relatively hot (130°F to 225°F), reducing the amount of cold makeup water (50°F to 60°F) that must be heated.

Condensate piping shall be of approved corrosion-resistant material and shall not be smaller than the drain connection on the appliance. Such piping shall maintain a horizontal slope in the direction of discharge of not less than one-eighth unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (1-percent slope).

What is the best material for condensate drain? ›

The recommended material to use for a condensate system is stainless steel.

You'll find a white PVC or copper pipe located near your outdoor unit—this is where the drain line ends. Near your indoor unit, you'll find a vertical PVC pipe with a cap on it, which acts as the access point for the condensate drain.

If condensate is not removed, then dangerous water hammer can occur in the steam supply system. Water hammer occurs when slugs of liquid condensate fill the cross-sectional area of the pipe and are propelled by high-velocity steam against the pipe walls (Figure 6).

More serious health effects can occur if condensate is inhaled or swallowed. Natural gas condensate (sweet) may contain variable amounts of benzene and n-hexane. Long-term exposure to these materials has been shown to lead to systemic toxicity such as leukemia and peripheral neurotoxicity.

Fully open bleed valves, using reduced system pressure, to remove any remaining condensate. Activate cold steam piping slowly at reduced pressure and with trap bleed valves continuously open. To prevent possible condensate accumulation, place blowdown valves before and after a vertical rise.

The condensed water is pure because when the water originally evaporated into the air, it left its impurities and minerals behind. So providing your coils are clean, you could collect the dripping water and drink it.

Condensates are the liquid form of these hydrocarbons that take their name from the process of removing them from the gas stream by processing with specific temperature and pressure.

Fire Hazard: Highly flammable liquid and vapor. Vapors may be ignited rapidly when exposed to heat, spark, open flame or other source of ignition.

No. PEX is plastic and is not rated for steam, which reaches temperatures of 212ºF.

The condensate enters the steam trap as saturated water, at a gauge pressure of 7 bar g and a temperature of 170°C. The specific amount of heat in the condensate at this pressure is 721 kJ/kg. After passing through the steam trap, the pressure in the condensate return line is 0 bar g.

Can I use PVC for condensate drain? ›

PVC piping systems are recognized as acceptable for use in condensate drain systems in all major model plumbing codes.

Cold surfaces can cause water vapor in the air to cool down, condense and form tiny beads of liquid. The molecules in these miniscule droplets of water are grouped far more closely together than when they were in their gas phase, and exert less pressure—a fact that has some pretty cool physical implications.

A steam trap is designed to separate and drain condensate, air and other incondensable gases (gases dissolved in water) from a steam system to increase heating efficiency and reduce maintenance costs associated with corrosion, leakage and damage to pipeline components.

A deaerator head is important to mix returned condensate, flash steam and cold make-up water as they are fed into the feedwater tank. Flash steam is released from hot condensate when its pressure is lowered. Use it, don't waste it. Collect in a flash vessel and use for heating, and recover any associated condensate.

Gas condensate and natural gasoline are, like naphtha, (1) readily flammable, (2) will evaporate quickly from most surfaces, and (3) must be very carefully contained at all times.

Boiler condensate is notoriously acidic. It's on the lower end of the pH scale, below 7, which means it's going to pose serious problems for your bacteria.

A wet-gas reservoir is defined as producing a single gas composition to the producing well perforations throughout its life. Condensate will form either while flowing to the surface or in lease-separation equipment.

Steam Condensate Lift using an On-Off Control Scheme

The actual number is 2.31 feet per pound, but 2 feet includes some safety factor and allowance for friction loss.

When water is heated at atmospheric pressure, its temperature rises until it reaches 212°F (100°C), the highest temperature at which water can exist at this pressure.

Oxygen and carbon-dioxide are the main components of the condensate and have a big dissolving intensity in the water also these gases are responsible of the corrosive action.

How far should condensate line be from house? ›

The most experienced inspectors recommend that the a/c condensate be routed no less than 12 inches from the foundation wall to avoid long term implications.

2021 CODE: 307.2.

Condensate drains shall not directly connect to any plumbing drain, waste or vent pipe. Con- densate drains shall not discharge into a plumbing fixture other than a floor sink, floor drain, trench drain, mop sink, hub drain, standpipe, util- ity sink or laundry sink.

As the gases cool, condensation is produced. A condensing boiler will produce about 2 litres of condensate an hour at an average temperature of 30-40℃. This condensate needs to drain into your waste water outlet or to a drain via your condensate pipe.

The most popular areas we terminate condensate drain lines to is the side of the house and usually about six inches from the ground. And this can be in a planted area that is large enough to accept the amount of drainage, and soak down into the earth.

What Causes a Clogged AC Condensate Drain Line? Because the drain line is an enclosed, wet space, it's a prime location for mold, mildew, and sludge to make it their home. In addition, dirt and debris or even bugs can work their way in. If not drained regularly, all of these items could cause a clog in the line.

But that's not necessarily the case! A furnace produces condensate as it works (it's part of the combustion process), and this condensate must be drained and removed to the outside. If the pipe that runs the condensate to the outside of the house freezes over, your furnace won't be able to work!

Even if you've noticed it before, rest assured, every central air conditioning system has a drainage line. Also called the condensate drain, the AC drainage line plays an essential role in removing condensation. The condensation, in this case, comes from the evaporator coils.

Different municipalities may require condensate be disposed of to the sanitary sewer, while others may require disposal to building exterior or storm drainage piping. Some AHJ may even require the use of additional equipment to neutralize certain elements/compounds prior to disposing of the condensate.

Air venting device

The air-venting device typically includes a thermostatic balance pressure bellows unit with a very low sub-cool. The device is able to sense air or non-condensable gases due to the resulting temperature suppression.

Can you lift steam condensate? ›

Lifting condensate from a steam main

It is sometimes necessary to lift condensate from a steam trap to a higher level condensate return line (Figure 14.5. 1). The condensate will rise up the lifting pipework when the steam pressure upstream of the trap is higher than the pressure downstream of the trap.

Condensate neutralizers are crucial for treating acidic condensate from high-efficiency heating appliances. Without a neutralizer, condensate has the potential to corrode a building's foundation, floors, and drainage system. Properly installing a neutralizer is fundamental, but only part of the solution.

It's absolutely not safe to drink condensates from combustion boilers because they contain toxic compounds. It's also a bad idea to drink air conditioning condensates. Like distilled or demineralised water, they're not necessarily toxic.

The most common material used is limestone or a limestone product. There are two important factors when considering condensate neutralizers – the percentage of calcium carbonate and the amount of surface area of the media. Look for products containing: A minimum of 90% calcium carbonate.

Condensate is considered good water — as pure as distilled water, low in mineral content, and can be used for a number of applications in addition to cooling towers.

The condensate expelled from a condensing water heater is acidic with a pH of between 2 and 4, so it is critical that the appropriate materials are used in all piping where this liquid is present.

OSHA requires PPE for short-term exposure to hot liquids. This can include gloves, helmets, face shields, boots and aprons. The danger of live steam has no appropriate or acceptable PPE, and so workers must use lockout/tagout procedures, and double-block and bleed the piping for the steam.

The steam/condensate systems are an integral part of the water boiler system. The condensate system includes anywhere that the steam condenses to form liquid water. As the vapor leaves the low-pressure turbine it contains droplets of water.

When water is heated it evaporates, which means it turns into water vapor and expands. At 100℃ it boils, thus rapidly evaporating. And at boiling point, the invisible gas of steam is created. The opposite of evaporation is condensation, which is when water vapor condenses back into tiny droplets of water.

Condensate lines drain excess moisture buildup from your Home Comfort System. Humidity is produced whenever air is heated or cooled inside of your Home Comfort System, which in turn produces condensation. This drains into a condensate pan under your inside unit in your attic.

Is condensate liquid or gas? ›

Condensates are the liquid form of these hydrocarbons that take their name from the process of removing them from the gas stream by processing with specific temperature and pressure.

As the steam main is warmed, the condensate temperature rises, causing the liquid expansion trap to close. At the same time, the steam pressure rises, forcing the hot condensate through the 'working' drain trap to the return line.

how to prevent condensation with a metal steamer: You can prevent condensation from dripping onto your food by taking a large, thin dish cloth or tea towel and tying it around the lid.

Another example is a cold beverage in a warm room when you can see the water droplets form on the glass. This is condensation in its simplest form. Relative humidity is the measure of how much moisture is in the air compared to how much moisture the air can hold at a given temperature.

Repeat each month. Kill any harmful bacteria or buildup and make sure your system continues to operate at peak performance by cleaning your drain line every 30 days.

What Causes Excessive Condensation in Your AC Unit? Bacteria – Natural bacteria found in your air conditioner could be creating a clog, cause your drain pan to overfill, and leak water. Damaged Condensation Pan – A rusted or damaged condensation pan may be causing water leaks in your home.

The final place to drain your condensate line is the drain line access point. The access point is most often located inside the home near the indoor air conditioner unit. This access point will also be covered with a PVC cap. Pour hot water or vinegar into the access point to flush the drain line from the inside.

The condensate flows to the bottom where the steam trap will open and allow the condensate to flow to the receiver. There must be a positive differential pressure between the Heat Exchanger and the condensate line so that the condensate will flow out of the Heat Exchanger.

Although invisible, water vapour is one component of the wet steam released by a boiling kettle, the visible portion is microscopic droplets of water suspended in the air. Water vapour is water in gaseous instead of liquid form.