Regarding the cooling of low-pressure steam condensate
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Our company requires that the low-pressure steam condensate with a mass of four kilograms be cooled from 130 degrees to 70 degrees. What is the best process to use for this? We cannot simply add an ordinary heat exchanger and then use water at room temperature for cooling, as the cooling process itself is already quite challenging in our case. A design that allows for the reuse of thermal energy could be considered. [This post was last edited by zhangwp999 on 2008-1-18 at 16:09]
How can heat be transferred out without using a heat exchanger? The cooling medium does not have to be water alone; other substances in your facility that require heating can also be considered. I think it’s just a problem with the cooling medium
Water with such low quality can only be used for bathing and similar purposes; tap water is used as the cooling medium, while it’s used for bathing
This condensed water can be applied to other processes as process make-up water, especially for those processes that require temperature elevation； It can also be used for energy exchange as a material to raise temperature ； There are many methods; it mainly requires using one’s brain, and by taking action can things be achieved little by little
Could other stages in the production process that require thermal energy be considered for transferring the heat from the condensate to the process medium? The use of heat exchangers is the preferred option; cooling water is not necessarily required for this purpose. It is recommended to install an absorption-type lithium bromide refrigeration system, which can convert the heat from the condensate into cold energy, thereby replacing cooling water (preferably primary water) or other cooling media such as liquid ammonia
Your approach is quite innovative. Could you please explain it in detail? If it’s feasible, we intend to use it, as we have also considered this process ourselves; however, we took into account factors such as cost, the maturity of the technology, and its practical value. Thank you.
Heat exchange with deionized water used for deoxidation could also be considered; generally, deionized water is at around 23 degrees, and the condition for deoxidation is reached at 104 degrees, so there is a considerable temperature difference that can be utilized
Air cooling is also suitable and is a fairly common method.
What are the main process conditions for air cooling? Could you be more specific?
I cannot agree with your suggestion, sir. What does low-quality condensate water mean? Using condensate water for bathing is a good suggestion, but it’s like using a cannon to kill mosquitoes – a waste.
The pressure of steam condensate return water, both domestically and internationally, is generally three kilograms, after which it is directly recycled, in a situation similar to what the original poster described. To make full use of this heat, one can consider preheating, heating, or providing warmth to other process media before feeding it to the lithium bromide unit.
Although air coolers can meet the condensate temperature requirement specified by the original poster, I personally believe that adding air coolers is not appropriate. One, the investment is too large ； Second, energy cannot be utilized effectively ；
The 3-4 kilogram amounts of low-pressure steam condensate from our facility are sent to the thermoelectric water tank for reuse; it’s a shame to use it for bathing, as it is after all treated water.
It is recommended to add lithium bromide refrigeration units, which can cool your condensate water to 60–70 degrees; the resulting low-temperature water will have a temperature of around 5–10 degrees. In summer, this water can be used as cold water for central air conditioning, or it can provide cooling capacity that meets lower requirements for certain installations.
Agree with opinion 10#: first, the utilization of thermal energy; second, the utilization of high-quality water. Chemical plants require both heat and cold, so closed-loop power plants are used, or the heat energy is utilized as process water
It’s best not to think about taking a bath or anything similar; it’s not safe. The energy of a medium without phase transition is far too limited; in my opinion, it can at most be used to preheat certain materials (such as the feed to the tower, etc.)