What is the purpose of the pressure balance line in the air cooler?
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In several process design projects using UOP technology, the following situation occurred on several occasions: at the junction of the outlet branch pipes of certain tower top air coolers, there was a pressure equalization line that ran at an upward angle (the tower in question generally contained light components). It was required that the highest point of this line be 450 mm above the bottom of the air cooler coil box. I’m not sure what the specific purpose of this is Is it to facilitate gas-liquid separation when non-condensable gas is present? Where does this number come from again? Please give me some advice! Thank you!
It functions similarly to a liquid storage bend and is used in full condensation mode; uncondensed gas can only be discharged after it has been condensed into a liquid. However, trace amounts of non-condensable gas will accumulate over time, which hinders heat exchange; therefore, the non-condensable gas must be vented regularly.
This line is also known as a break-siphon line; it prevents a sudden drop in pressure of the liquid in the air cooler after condensation, which could lead to backflow of the liquid inside the tank and thus damage to the air cooler. This line connects the air cooler to the tank, helping to maintain pressure balance. As for the data, I don’t really understand it either; I hope an expert can help answer it.