Condenser of U-tube heat exchanger
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I would like to ask the experts: Is it feasible to use a U-tube heat exchanger as a condenser (with two tube passes and a tube length of 6 meters), where steam at 0.6 MPa saturation flows through the tube passes, while circulating water at 70–90°C flows through the shell pass? The exchanger is to be installed vertically with the tube box on top. Why or why not? I think it is feasible, because the water vapor pressure can push the condensed water out; only the pressure at the exit of the condensed water decreases (by an amount equal to the pressure drop in the pipe network plus 6 meters of water column). What I’m worried about is: can a water clock be created? What other problems might arise? This post was last edited by Love in the Rain on 2009-3-25 11:24.]
Vertical installation is prone to water hammer, freezing is difficult to prevent in winter, and the circulating water tends to vaporize, resulting in water hammer or high stress.
This problem is quite complex; it seems that water vapor moves through the pipes, and they are U-shaped tubes as well. Although high pressure might force the condensate out. It’s better to go through the shell side! I also have a question: Condensation (a mass of gas – large volume ； It turns into a liquid – its volume decreases. I’m really curious about how pressure and volume change during this process!
The water vapor pressure remains relatively constant, as the water vapor that enters the heat exchanger first condenses, and then more water vapor is supplied. This post was last edited by sus321 on 2009-3-25 11:34]
I don’t think it’s appropriate; generally, if the condenser is vertical, the inert gas should enter from above and exit from below. Otherwise, wouldn’t the gas get trapped? There must be this problem with the double-pipe design, right? Why not make it horizontal? Is it due to space constraints?
It’s impossible to hold it in; there’s pressure from the steam. I want to create a special type of heat exchanger (it’s quite complex and difficult to describe); its principle is the same as that of the U-tube heat exchanger I mentioned. I would appreciate your guidance.
It seems better to let the steam flow through the shell side. In power plants, the heat exchange equipment uses steam in the shell side, but in chemical processing equipment, steam is sometimes used in the tube side; I don’t understand why.
If it is placed vertically in an improper manner, water hammer will definitely occur, with water accumulating at the bottom of the U-shaped structure; preventing freezing is a problem that cannot be resolved through purging. This method is not recommended.