Processed Steam

Jemsr

I have a project requiring 2-3 steam boilers to serve 19 steam pots @ 100,000 BTU each making this processed steam.

I have been a Master plumber for many years; however, I have very little experience with steam other than an occasional residential steam heating boiler leaking return line.

I have the boiler reps sizing the boilers, yet none of them seem to want to get involved in the pipe sizing and diagrams to assist with creating the package for installing this system.

Where would I go to gain this knowledge and hopefully end up with an optimal piping diagram along with what not to do with this install.

The first 9 pots will be within 15ft. of the boiler room and the other 10 pots are 50ft. away.

We have discussed a feeder system to help remove the oxygen before entering the system to help seeing that we will not have a condensate return.

I would love to have much more knowledge to help give my customer the best job I can.

Any help in this process would be greatly appreciated.

mattmia2

What temperature/pressure does the utilization equipment need? Getting the steam there safely and in good condition and having it all play nicely together requires considerable knowledge of steam.

bburd

This is industrial process steam. A licensed mechanical engineer should design the complete system, including the piping. In most jurisdictions a permit and inspection will be required.

Industrial processes often involve steam above 15 psig, which means stricter code provisions and industry standards than the low pressure steam usually used for heating.

ScottSecor

I found this on the Futon high pressure boiler website. Fulton is dominant in my area with regard to cooking with steam (kettles, ovens, etc.). The Fulton website has a lot of information.

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.fulton.com/app/uploads/2023/07/G-15-100050.pdf

You did not mention if you planned on using high pressure or low pressure. The few clients we have with kettles all utilize high pressure steam. Most of the time the condensate is wasted, or not returned to the boilers. These boilers become disposable. Due to the amount of sediment in the boilers, the waterside needs to be cleaned at least twice a year. Four times a year would be better. I much prefer to get the condensate back, but we rarely see that.

EBEBRATT-Ed

The information is readily available.

See the attached

Sarco Steam Utilization.pdf

There is a bit to learn and I have designed a few systems. I would suggest you might contact Sarco or Armstrong or Watson McDaniel or other companies who sell traps and valves for HP steam as they will sometimes help you out if you buy some steam equipment from them.

Also check your state regs. For instance I am in MA and a Master Plumber can't do HP steam here. Every State is different.

You probably need a PE to design this but finding one that knows steam will be almost impossible.

You will get more good information from the equipment, valve and trap mfgs.

Sarco Design Book.pdf

Jemsr

thank you

jumper

» Most of the time the condensate is wasted, or not returned to the boilers. These boilers become disposable. Due to the amount of sediment in the boilers, the waterside needs to be cleaned at least twice a year. Four times a year would be better. I much prefer to get the condensate back, but we rarely see that.«

Industrial facilities often have to return condensate overhead so it's more convenient to dump it. Since higher pressure boilers require treated feed water anyway……