Direct Injection Humidifier Condensate Return? 1

[MechItHappen]

For direct injection humidifiers, is there usually a condensate return line back to the clean steam generator? I always thought the condensate was minimal enough that it could be routed to a floor drain and if any hot condensate (>140F) concerns came up, you could put a cooling leg (4 ft of fintube) to reduce the condensate temperature below 140°F.

 

[urgross]

I think it would depend on if you are humidifying on 30 psig or 15 psig steam. We don't return atmospheric (15-psig) at the humidifier, that goes to drain. By the time it is piped to drain, odds are slim you'll be at 140*F, and even less likely at headwall discharge. From 30-psig condensate back from the control valve, we typically return that to the nearest central larger size condensate for return to the boiler plant. During economic feasibility study, the cost of 304SS for separate condensate return system did not have a good 20-year life cycle cost, and would still need to be cooled down to above 75-77*F to opetimize the RO.