Steam Superheaters

[Japher]

I have a gas fired boiler producing 150# steam. I need 200# steam generated at close to the same rate, if possible. What are my options?

I would like an electric option if possible, and am also considering a steam superheater.

I don't know much about boilers, steam generators, or superheaters so any advice would be awesome.

Thanks.

 

[rmw]

Do some research or googling or looking for some good books on the topic. "Boilers, Their Types and Uses" for one comes to mind.

Not to be unkind, but the nature of the way you structure your question would indicate that your learning curve will be steep for a while.

rmw

 

[RogerH]

Japher
Assuming your boiler can operate at a higher pressure, i.e. 50 psig higher than normal I guess it wont be that much of a problem. Re-rating boiler is possible in some occassions.

However I sense that there are more underlying factors to your question. Superheating will not affect the pressure but a ejector type using 300-400 psig steam taking the 150 psig steam you have, can work. However I have only seen this done on really low steam pressures (<50 psig).

Steam compression is always a possibility but I fear it will be costly both in invenstement and operating cost, guess that why it is so rarely encountered.
RH

 

[Japher]

Thank you, I think it would be pricy to compress as well. If I will use the steam in a heat excahnger, say, would superheating be a cheaper option than trying to compress the additional 50 psi? I really need the temperature more than the actuall pressure.

Rerating? I never thought of that and will look into it.

 

[sshep]

Hey Jasper,

Superheating may get your temperature up to the same level as 200# steam, but there won't be much heat between the superheat temperature and the saturation temperature at your 150# steam pressure- most of the heat from steam is in the condensing, not in the superheat.

Raising the boiler pressure is the best bet. If this is a small package boiler, maybe it is already designed to be able to deliver 200#- if not, a rerate may not be practical although the boiler vendor can tell you for sure.

If you tell us what you need to heat and the duty, maybe there are other options.

best wishes,
sshep

 

[rmw]

There has been much discussion on this site of the pros and cons, (mostly cons) regarding the use of superheated steam in heat exchangers. Unless your Hx is specifically designed to handle SH steam, it is not generally recommended and probably is not a good solution for you.

Some 'advanced' searching will produce some interesting reading on that topic.

If you need 200# steam, you are faced with rerating your present boiler and if that is not possible, a new boiler.

Possibly things could be done to your Hx.

Without any more knowledge of your actual needs, that about sums up all the 'tips' that can be given at this point.

rmw

 

[Yanayra]

hi. I am an engineer for plant processes Midrex - Venezuela
now we have a problem with the feed gas flexible pipes Inconel 625 alloy have pitting and there is presence of cl-and pb in the gas. also occurs in the AISI 321. my question is how to analyze this problem? that occurs in some modules and the other not.Where do I start analyzing this problem?




ya_mayra@hotmail.com
siryaq@sidor.com
25 años.

 

[rmw]

Ya,

You need to start a new thread with your question. I would suggest starting it in the " Corrosion " forum.

Buena suerte, y bienvenidos.

rmw