Where is semi-tube condensation used, and where is jacketed condensation used?
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I’ve seen some sources mention in passing that semi-tube condensation yields better results than jacketed condensation. I have also seen some trough-type devices in companies, where one half consists of a jacket and the other half is wrapped with semi-tubes. May I ask, why is it designed this way? Under what circumstances is it necessary to design it this way. It is also said that when using steam for heating, a jacket provides better results than a semi-tube. But when using water cooling, is it true that a half-pipe is better than a jacket? Additionally, we have a neutralization device that uses sodium hydroxide to titrate acidic (sulfuric acid) organic mixtures; the temperature is required to be maintained between 20 and 25°C. The reaction tank is equipped with mechanical stirring equipment, and currently jacketed condensation is used. Would semi-tube cooling provide a better effect?
Generally speaking, semi-tube condensation provides better cooling effects than jackets, but it is relatively more expensive. Jackets are more commonly used for steam systems in order to avoid water hammer effects. So, whether to use semi-tubes, jackets, or a combination of both depends on the requirements of your process. If your neutralization equipment involves an exothermic reaction and the temperature only needs to be maintained at around room temperature, without being extremely low, then jackets will suffice to meet the process requirements, eliminating the need for semi-tubes and thus saving costs
Reply to 2# Elf1006_mandy Thank you! What I don’t understand is that the condensation area of a half-pipe should be smaller than that of a jacket; then why does everyone say it has good heat transfer performance? Is it because the flow rate of the condensate water is high, or what’s the reason? If the flow rate is high, the jacket can also increase the flow rate; then why use a semi-tube condenser? Our neutralization process is fine in winter, but it becomes a major problem in summer – the high temperature of the cooling water slows down the rate of acid-base titration, resulting in a long neutralization time that becomes a bottleneck in the entire production process. Therefore, we want to see if using semi-tube cooling will improve things
In a semi-tube design, the cooling water is in constant circulation. Although the jacket is also in circulation, there are dead zones, and it’s not possible to completely replace all the cooling water that has absorbed heat (I’m not sure how to explain this clearly; just imagine it). In the case of your factory, if you want to switch to a semi-tube design, you’ll need to remodel the entire reaction tank. However, you can first calculate how much heat needs to be removed over what time frame for your specific reaction
Reply to 3# aihuang: You might as well use a cooling water tank with a constant temperature, such as water at 7 degrees Celsius or so. Used to cool the neutralization tank. In this way, you can use circulating water in winter and the water from the cooling water tank in summer. It’s fine then!