Water Slug formation in condensor coil

[strainstress]

Hi,

If steam is travelling at a very high speed (800 ft/s, transient) through a condensor coil and assuming there is no pre-existing condensate in the line, can water slugs be formed as a result of condensation of steam as it travels though the condensor coil ?

I am concerned about water hammer formation as the valve is opened and high speed steam travels through the coil ?

Thanks

 

[willard3]

Was the coil cool when you started? Is the coil operation intermittent?

Not enough information to guess at the answer.

 

[strainstress]

Yes, the coil operation is intermittent, and is cool when started.

 

[317069]

can you explain your application in more details.

 

[strainstress]

This condenser coil will be intermittently used. What we are concerned about is the transient effect of sudden opening of valve with steam at 1140 psi. The steam will be vent to atmosphere till the air has been removed from the coil. The steam will flow at a very high velocity when the valve is opened due to 1140 - 14.7 pressure differential.

The steam flows in the main line thrn reaches condensor coil, where it will be cooled. Could the this condensation of steam at high velocity in the coil result in water slug formation and then water hammer ?

 

[317069]

Did you check your coil specifications, is it designed to handle this velocity and flow rate. did you talk to coil manufacturer.?
is it HVAC application?

 

[strainstress]

That is what we are trying to figure whether the coil can withstand this velocity and flow rate for a short duration. In the normal operation the pressure differential will only much less.

 

[317069]

in this case you can`t find the answer here, you should check it with coil manufacturer, he is the one who can approve his coil performance.

 

[strainstress]

Its a custom built coil and the manufacturer does not have the expertise to figure this out, so its left to us.

 

[willard3]

Given that you can't know the answer, buy a coil that meets your requirements and use it

If it doesn't work and hurts somebody, you're the person responsible.