Pipe inlet design

[Thuba]

Goodday. l have a vessel heating edible oil using thermic fluid through a heating coil. The inlet of the thermal fluid the pipeline is looped, l was wondering whats the purpose of looping. See attachment!

 

[LittleInch]

B I t hard to say but my guess is to have flexibility to avoid stress due to thermal exclamation

 

[georgeverghese]

It may be connected to a system operating at atmospheric pressure, and this may be a level loop to maintain level in the connected system ( HO tank ??)

 

[Thuba]

Sorry my bad, its a stripping steam line, direct injection of steam to the oil for purposes of stripping and agitation. Can that loop somehow eliminate condensate from live steam?

 

[katmar]

I think that LittleInch nailed it, even though auto-copulation added some confusion. The loop will not help with condensate collection and it would have to be much taller to prevent back-flow, so I think accommodating thermal expansion is the correct reason - and it would be good practice anyway.

 

[Snickster]

I think it is primarily for preventing backflow of the oil into the steam line assuming that the high point on the inlet pipe is above the liquid level of the oil in the vessel. It could also be for thermal expansion of the inlet pipe but no need to route a loop up that high if it was only for thermal expansion.

 

[Thuba]

I think it is primarily for preventing backflow of the oil into the steam line assuming that the high point on the inlet pipe is above the liquid level of the oil in the vessel. It could also be for thermal expansion of the inlet pipe but no need to route a loop up that high if it was only for thermal expansion.

Thanks Snickster. l get it now, assuming there is no steam pressure or its low, then the oil can get in the direct steam holes and flow to the steam line. Pretty much it acts non return valve.

 

[LittleInch]

Now we know its a steam line then yes, the height could be related to the liquid level in the tank, but also steam will make the pipe expand and nozzles on tanks are notorious for being low in allowable forces.

With only one photo, no isometrics or drawings of the steam line we're in guesswork territory here....