Steam Pipe Orifice Location

[RJB32482]

Hello Everyone,
I am looking to locate a steam orifice in a pipe for heating a rainwater sump. I believe that there is too much steam going to this sump and the water does not need to be heated as much as it is now. We can throttle a gate valve back to get less steam through the piping, but I rather put an orifice in.

Do I need to have a steam trap near the orifice due to condensate generation. AKA if pressure drop is too great at the orifice condensate will be generated and need to be taken out of the steam piping.

Thanks.

 

[Joesteam]

Remember that an orifice is a fixed flow device while the sump requires a variable flow due to changes in temperature. Also that a gate valve is not designed for regulating flow but a simple on/off device. Why not use, depending on pressure and line size, a pilot operated regulator with the temperature pilot sensing the water temperature in the sump? You will probably get a great payback by reducing the steam load and also the piece of mind that it will be at the desired temperature.

However, to answer your question, there will be condensate build-up on the lower portion of the pipe because it cannot flow through the orifice, which is most likely in the middle of the pipe, and a steam trap would be a good idea.

Joe Lambert

http://www.control-associates.com/

 

[pennpiper]

RJB32482
Go to this web site.

http://www.imperialco.net/orifice/orifice.html

There you will see (on page 9) an example on an "Eccentric" Orifice plate and a "Segmental" Orifice Plate.
Both of these can be used for Steam.
You can also get a standard "Concentric" Orifice plate with a drain and/or vent hole.
Page 11 is a sample Orifice Plate Data sheet and if you read it you will see the place where you designate the drain hole.

I hope this helps.

 

[seasar]

You could mount the orifice in a vertical section of the pipe with the flow going down.

 

[maddocks]

I've used an orifice nozzle in steam applications and it worked great, no condensate buildup on the plate and no parts to break. It just sandwiched in between 2 flanges.