Should steam condensers be considered pressure vessels?
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The steam flow rate is 1 ton/h, with a steam pressure of 1 kg. It is condensed using a heat exchanger; a shell-and-tube heat exchanger is used, cooled by circulating water. Is it necessary to treat this heat exchanger as a pressure vessel?
Steam condensers generally are not considered pressure vessels, as they are not designed to withstand high-pressure gases or liquids. However, if the components within a steam condenser are subjected to high-pressure gases or liquids and this could pose a hazard, then it must be designed in accordance with the standards for pressure vessels. Based on the information you provided, this heat exchanger must be designed in accordance with the standards for pressure vessels, as it is required to operate under a steam pressure of 1 kg, and it also needs to be cooled using circulating water. Therefore, designers must comply with local pressure vessel regulations and standards to ensure the safety and reliability of the heat exchanger. .
It falls under the category of pressure vessels; this is determined according to the regulations for stationary pressure vessels
Pressure vessels, definitely. Moreover, those subject to the regulations on pressure vessels require supervision and inspection
It’s best to ask the specialists at the local special inspection office. In operating conditions with a similar pressure of 0.3 MPa, the entire system used to be submitted for inspection and periodic testing as special pressure equipment. Later, the pressure dropped to 0.2–0.3 MPa. After consulting with the special equipment inspection agency, it was stated that such pipes need not be managed as pressure vessels. In recent years, operators are no longer required to obtain a pressure vessel operation certificate.
Check whether the design pressure of the steam is 0.1 MPa, or if the operating pressure is 0.1 MPa. If the operating pressure is greater than or equal to 0.1 MPa and all other conditions are met. It must be designed as a pressure vessel.