Control scheme for the vapor fraction reboiler
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We have implemented a control scheme for the vapor separator reboiler based on cascade control, with the bottom temperature as the primary parameter and the steam flow rate into the reboiler as the secondary parameter. In practical operation, water hammer often occurs in the reboiler; to eliminate this issue, we plan to switch to controlling the outlet condensate. I would like to ask if these plans are feasible? Why?
The control of the column reboiler should be based primarily on the temperature and pressure inside the column, with steam being the main factor used for temperature control; this is no problem. However, water hammer phenomena often occur in heat exchangers, especially those operating at medium and high pressures, and the key lies in the efficiency of the drainage system for condensate. As for switching to controlling the outlet condensate, it should not solve the fundamental problem; instead, efforts should be made to address the issue from the steam pipeline network and the condensate pipeline network.
The problem of water hammer was resolved by controlling the steam inlet flow rate and adjusting the condensate level. Thank you for following.