Steam flow rate in the reactor with a desiccant trap
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I would like to ask another question regarding the steam flow rate in a reactor equipped with a trap. If the trap is removed, steam will flow out at a very high speed; but when I install a trap, there is some resistance to the steam flow – will this result in a decrease in the flow rate? When performing the calculations, does the steam flow rate differ depending on whether a desiccant is used or not? I’ve always felt I don’t quite understand it. Is it the same as with water pipes? For example, if I replace steam with water and add a faucet at the drain valve, by adjusting the size of that faucet, the flow rate of water inside the reactor’s coils should change, right? I’m not sure if my analogy is correct. Thank you all.
It’s not what you think. A steam trap prevents steam from flowing out together with condensate; it serves a separating function rather than regulating the flow rate. The steam flow rate depends on the heat transfer amount; furthermore, if the water drainage capacity is insufficient, it will result in a decrease in the steam flow rate
The presence of a drain valve will certainly cause some resistance, but during design, the steam flow rate is taken into consideration, and a drain valve with a sufficient flow capacity is selected so that it does not affect the steam flow rate. (The steam flow rate is controlled using a control valve; as long as the drain valve can handle the volume of condensate water, there is no need to worry about pressure issues.)
I think the flow rate of the steam is still related to the speed of the condenser. Once it turns into condensed water, its volume decreases by many times, so the impact shouldn’t be that significant, right?