condenser parallel or series 1

[saleda]

hi all

what arrangement of new same size condenser is better while condensing acetone vapors of what 20 percent jump 1st condenser.

thanx

 

[TD2K]

Saleda, you've provided no information about your system, the process parameters, what is there now? How do you expect anyone to answer your question?

 

[saleda]

sorry TD2K,
in our solvent rcovery process intailly we have only one vacuum tray drier for what condenser was designed , now second smaller dryer is installed. which resulted in more vapor flow and loss of acetone that jumped condenser. now rather that manufacturing and designing new condenser, we have found one spare condenser of same size in our facility. should new condenser be in parrallel or in series of existing?. Or can we somehow control that initial high flow of acetone vapors, if flow can be conntrooled intially than 2nd condenser installation could be avoided.

 

[sshep]

Hey Saleda,

A picture would really be nice, with info about the condensing pressure, load, cooling water outlet temp, and how the vacuum system is set up. It sounds like you have two driers sharing the same condenser.

To really assess your existing existing condenser performance you need to check the cooling water outlet temperature- if this is high the condenser is working but maybe just overloaded. If the cooling water outlet temperature is low then maybe there is a heat transfer problem.

It is hard to answer without knowing the system and what is limiting the condenser. Splitting and trying to balance the vapor flow via some weird unbalanced piping can be a challenge. If pressure drop across the condensers is not critical, then putting the additional area in series but with its own supply of cooling water is going to be a good option: this is series on the process side, parallel on the cooling water side.

The amount of acetone to be condensed seems fixed, but if you have air or N2 leaks into the system it will make the vapors hard to condense and lead to acetone losses.

best wishes,
sshep

 

[rutherford703]

It seems to me that putting the condenser in parallel is the choice. If you put the condensers in series, does the first condenser just cool down the vapor or the second condenser subcool the condensate of acetone?