Regarding the conversion of saturated steam to superheated steam
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The steam in our company is saturated steam coming from boilers; the design pressure of these boilers is 1.3 MPa, while the operating pressure in the pipes is 0.9 MPa. The transmission distance is 400 meters. Given that this distance is quite long, heat loss would be significant if saturated steam were used; therefore, it is intended to switch to using superheated steam for transmission. The boiler has now been finalized, and we are considering using saturated steam that is depressurized at the outlet of the steam drum to be converted into superheated steam. Is this approach feasible? I seek advice from experienced colleagues! Additional note: Is the approach of turning the steam in the steam drum into superheated steam after depressurization using a pressure relief valve feasible in practice? If possible, could you let me know what the pressure difference before and after should be to be effective? The superheat is around 10 degrees. The steam drum pressure is 1.0 Mpa, and the pipeline pressure is adjustable. This post was last edited by youmumin on 2009-4-6 12:43]
If there is no suitable waste heat to be recovered, I don’t think it’s necessary to heat it to superheated steam for transmission. A distance of 400m is not too long either; as long as hydrophobic devices are installed along the way, saturated steam can be transported directly. After switching to superheated steam, the temperature is higher, resulting in greater heat loss during transportation.
Strictly speaking, a transmission distance of 400m is not long; as long as proper insulation is provided, heat loss will not be significant. Since the boiler has already been finalized, using saturated steam that is depressurized at the steam drum outlet and then converted into superheated steam may affect the boiler’s steam production capacity. I don’t think it’s necessary to take this approach.
What was said upstairs makes sense: at high temperatures, superheated steam has a high temperature and thus releases more heat. Moreover, when heat is dissipated, the enthalpy difference between superheated steam and saturated steam is not very large, unless there is a significant temperature difference.