Boiler Blow-off Blues

[yamoffathoo]

Engineering is proposing to install 4"nps tell-tale drains immediately downstream of 4"nps boiler blow-off valves on horizontal lines. The idea is to give operators 'handier' drains to monitor. This arrangement is probably going to produce flow disturbances from drain water entrainment. Blow-off flows are 100lb/sec at 450 psig and 300 degF. I'd appreciate references to help convince Engineering of this folly.

 

[Bambie]

Just to let you all in on a secret...Yamoffathoo is actually a Design Engineer looking for like minds to support his position that an existing size-on-size condensate drain installation is a source of flow transients.

The members' lack of experience with this configuration would imply that it is not a recommended design.

Why all the personal attacks?

 

[vpl]

Bambie -- there were no personal attacks as no one knows you or Yamoffathoo or the company that you both may or may not work for. Additionally, I don't think anyone is interested in "taking sides."

The best way to solve these type problems is to gather tha data and facts to support what you're saying, not to take sides. Eng-Tips is a great resource, but it doesn't solve your problems for you -- more just point you in a direction to look.

Patricia Lougheed

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[Bambie]

I meant to say that alot of speculation was aimed at Yamoffathoo's intentions and no technical comments directed at his question.

Anyway, since he can't log-on to comment on this, he asked me to post his home video of drain water entrainment using compressed air and ask our colleague 'rmw' if he would agree that this demonstrates the potential for flow transients.