Industrial & Manufacturing Blog
Steam pressure vessels are used in industrial and commercial applications. Such systems contain, distribute, store, transfer, evaporate, distil, handle, or process gases under high pressure. A steam generating system can distribute steam for humidification, sterilisation of autoclaves, heating, process applications, and commercial or domestic hot water. The normal operation of a steam pressure vessel requires every component to be in optimal condition to avoid malfunctioning or injuries. Here are some key facts for beginners to know about steam pressure vessels.
Pressure Problems
Sometimes, a steam pressure vessel might suffer from lack of sufficient pressure. Therefore, frequent maintenance of a pressure system is crucial to prevent leaks that can slow pressure buildup in a pressure vessel. For instance, a system should be inspected for signs of leaks, primarily through the various valves. Also, check a tank for holes that might reduce pressure buildup. External leaks can also occur in joints, piping and other components. Further, erosion, faulty design, corrosion, water hammer and poor installation can cause steam leaks, which in turn affect the level of pressure in a system. In summary, regular inspection and maintenance is key to dealing with leaks and resultant pressure loss problems.
System Insulation
Insulation in a steam pressure vessel is integral to reducing heat loss. When heat dissipates faster, you need more energy to maintain optimum pressure and temperature. However, it is challenging to know if the insulation of a pressure vessel is not working accordingly. Therefore, a thermal imager is a special device used to detect if insulation is effective or not since it is impractical to use the naked eye for detection. Regular inspection of a pressure system can detect an insulation problem early enough before a major system malfunction occurs.
Scale Accumulation
For a pressure vessel to operate efficiently, you should use treated water which is free of minerals such as calcium. The presence of minerals in the water, also referred to as hard water, can accumulate in a steam pressure vessel. Over time, mineral deposits might start scaling the interior of a system, and thus, block it entirely if left unchecked. However, what you are likely to experience at first is the slow movement of steam because of the mineral buildup. A steam system is expected to experience efficiency loss because of mineral deposits. Therefore, industry experts recommend the use of treated water to reduce energy requirements while also preventing mineral accumulation.
Share10 June 2020
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