The Basics of Direct Steam Injection PDF
The Basics of Direct Steam Injection PDF
The Basics of Direct Steam Injection PDF
H T 4 H L
Also appeared in CHEMICAL ENGINEERING PROGRESS
0
RECISE TEMPERATURE CONTROL
REDUCEDENERGYCONSUMPTION
AND LOWER MAINTENANCE COSTS ARE
THEKEYBENEFITSOFDIRECTCONTACT
STEAM INJECTION HEATING IN
CHEMICALPROCESSINGAPPLICATIONS
Unfortunately, direct-contact steam injection is
often overlooked or not used to its full advantage
by engineers because they are unaware of its
potential in chemical applications.
terminates the instant process requirements Another automatic temperature control application
that are satisfied. There is no residual steam in includes an automatic direct-contact steam
the heater to cause a continuation of heating injection heater, a temperature controller, and a
or overshooting of the desired temperature. steam solenoid valve operated by a flow switch in
Consequently, direct- contact steam injection is the liquid supply line (Image 5). The steam solenoid
ideally suited for intermittent or “on-demand” valve automatically stops the steam flow when the
operation, as well as for continuous service. liquid flow stops, even though the temperature
controller may be calling for more steam. If
This type of system can also be designed to cool the liquid flow is controlled by a solenoid valve
as well as heat a process. Once the steam flow is downstream of the heater, the steam solenoid valve
stopped, heating of the process is discontinued. can be wired in parallel with this valve to provide
Introducing cooling water will immediately begin simultaneous steam and liquid flow shutoff. This
the cooling cycle.
system is used when the time between flow shutoff
and startup is short. However, if the shutoff time
In a simple manual, pressurized hot water
is so long that the temperature sensor cools too
system, each time an outlet valve is opened,
a flow switch on the liquid-supply line senses much, the liquid temperature will overshoot the
liquid discharge and opens a steam solenoid setpoint temperature during the controller settling
valve. For uniform supply conditions, the direct- time.
contact steam injection unit will deliver heated
water at the same flow rate and temperature *!#+%4%$6%33%,(%!4).'
each time an outlet valve is opened. Once the In these applications, the advantages of direct-
requirement has been satisfied, the system contact steam heating are exploited to gain
instantly shuts down. accurate and precise temperature control of the
water in the jacket surrounding a kettle or reactor.
The piping arrangement in Image 4 (above) is Using water in the jacket as the heating medium
used where the unit is a part of an automated instead of steam provides better control of the
process. Each time hot water is required, the process, which eliminates the violent steam and
master controller sends an air signal to the water shock often associated with conventional
actuator, activating the heater. Heating continues jacketed kettle and reactor heating systems.
until the process requirements are satisfied and
the master controller terminates the air signal !00,)#!4)/.30%#)&)#!4)/.3
being sent to the actuator. The steam heater is Specifying direct steam injection heating and
then shut down until hot water is again required. properly sizing the unit for an application requires
an examination of process requirements.
The direct-contact steam injection heater and its
accessories are compact and can be installed as General information about the process and the
part of the piping, requiring less space than other heating requirements is needed, along with data
types of heating equipment. For applications where on the characteristics of the fluid to be heated.
the fluid being heated is hard water or chemical Fluid properties such as specific gravity, density,
slurry, the liquid velocity through internally
solids content, viscosity, and whether any abrasive
modulated direct-contact steam injection heaters
or corrosive products are present must be taken
is high enough that chemical deposits or scale
into consideration.◊
will not form on internal surfaces. This eliminates
the need for periodic acid cleanout, which may
be necessary in applications where externally This article ran in the Chemical Engineering Progress
modulated devices are used. Magazine. It is authored by Hydro-Thermal Corporation.