Is it better to control the heat exchanger using steam or condensate water?
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In heat exchangers that use steam as the heating medium, some control valves are installed on the steam side; it is said that this approach provides precise control but consumes more energy. Other valves are placed on the condensed water side, which helps save energy but results in less precise control. I’m not quite sure which of these two approaches is better; I hope someone experienced can help answer this question
Located on the condensate water, the condensate water can participate in heat exchange, allowing for full utilization of thermal energy and achieving a high degree of heat exchange. The control is insensitive and very slow.
Why is this control relatively slow rather than sensitive?
If it is controlled at the inlet, by adjusting the valve opening to control the steam flow rate, the speed will be high.
If there is no condensate station, the heat exchange area is adjusted by changing the immersion height of the condensate; if there is a condensate station, what can actually be controlled is the level of the condensate
Personally, I think steam is better; controlling the condensate water can cause water hammer
Most use steam control, which is sensitive and easy to operate.
If the steam pressure is low, installing it on the steam pipeline will further reduce the positive pressure, which may lead to poor drainage of condensate water.