Condenser predicted pressure drop

[pootong]

Dear All
I got a outline and detail arrangement of the condenser to be installed in one of our biomass power plant. Please let me know if anyone can suggest me how to estimate the pressure drop accoss condenser. The following data is available now.
1. Condenser tube diamter, length and thickness.
2. No of tubes and pass.
3. Cooling water flow rate, temp and pressure.
I would like to verify whether the cooling water pump has enough head for the system.
Regards
Pootong

 

[TD2K]

Calculate the flow rate through each tube based on the water flow rate, the number of tube passes and the total number of tubes.

With the tube length and including an inlet and outlet loss for each tube, you should have a reasonable estimate what the operating pressure drop is.

You can also estimate the head loss across the inlet and outlet nozzles if you want to check that but it should be minor relative to the tube side pressure drop. The inlet and return channel head losses aren't as straight forward but should be minor I would think.

This information is also usually provided by the vendor sizing this exchanger, are you just trying to verify their numbers?

 

[pootong]

Thank you very much TD2K, that's true I need to check vendor's pressure drop information as well.
Regards
Pootong

 

[smckennz]

Marks Std Handbook gives the procedure for tube side friction loss on condensers. Tables, correction factors etc are all there. Look under section 9.5 Power Plant Heat Exchangers.

Cheers

Steve McKenzie