Increasing pressure of saturated steam

[sushanksaha]

Hello
I am wondering if it is possible to go from saturated steam at say 5MPa(a) @ 80% quality and compress it to a pressure of >8 MPa(a) and the same quality.
Would this be a simple case of reciprocating machinery pressurizing the steam or would it involve other mechanisms.

Thanks,

 

[dcasto]

I've never seen a steam compressor, but all the old timers use to talk about them. Google will link you up with "steam compressor" some names I am familiar with are Elliot, Sundyne... check them out

 

[MJCronin]

Why would you want to do this ?

Do you have a new, longer distance that your system must supply steam ?

Generation of saturated steam is all about moving heat from one place (the boiler) to another (some type of HX or humidification unit)

The pressure requirement of a saturated steam piping system is controlled by the distance you are required to "move the steam" to get to your destination. A price is paid if the distance is long as the steam will drop in pressure.

If you need saturated steam at a higher pressure, increase the pressure at the feedwater pump. If the boiler is undersized for the pressure....get a new boiler !!

If you find a "steam comressor" on the market..... please tell us about it

My opinions only

-MJC

 

[unclesyd]

There are many ways to compress low pressure steam, thermal and mechanical along with a couple of hybrids. It is used a lot in the production of pure water for all sorts of applications. All the steam jet suppliers have a thermal system.

http://www.everestblowers.com/technical-articles/Mechanical_Vapor_Recompression.pdf

http://www.energysolutionscenter.or...am_Distribution/Steam_Vapor_Recompression.asp

 

[ione]

Increasing pressure of steam, without increasing temperature has the effect of forcing steam to condensate.
If steam has a dryness of 80% at 5 MPa(g) then its temperature is 265.23 °C. In order to increase steam pressure to 8 MPa(g) keeping dryness at 80%, temperature must be raised to 295.92 °C.

 

[sushanksaha]

Hey ione i figured all of that. I was going to increase the temperature of the superheat to saturation at 8MPa and then do the needful compressing. I think boosting the feedwater pressure and trying something is a better


Had this been a traditional use of the boiler i would've just gotten a new boiler but im trying to do a broad level parameter design of a process loop which is limited by the amount of energy available and the amount of steam required. Additionally i have multiple cascading loops which make the process a little more complicated.

But thank you for the replies