Condensate line, full or empty?

Paul Whiteman

We are replacing a section of our steam main on campus. There are two routes we can take. One of the routes goes uphill about 3' in elevation and is 100' long. The other route goes downhill and is 200' long. My question is: will the condensate sitting in the uphill line cause it to rust out faster than the empty downhill line?

[Deleted User]

You can slow down the process if the boiler water is treated.I have seen condensate actualy cut a grove in the bottom of the return pipe.After the steam condenses back to water it is very high is acid content.There are several chemicals that boil off with water and condense back and lower the acid content in return water.Hope this helps somewhat..............

Paul Whiteman

Condensate line

Our water is treated but I was wondering whether it is better for your condensate line to regularly be full or normally empty?

Tony Conner

Are You...

... replacing steam or condensate lines (or both)?

If I was going to be responsible for maintenance, I'd go for the longer condensate piping run that drains by gravity. No water sitting in lines to absorb oxygen over the summer and pit my pipe, or slightly acidic condensate to chew away at the metal. Also, no condensate pump to buy and maintain. Gravity is readily available, very reasonably priced, and requires little in the way of maintenance

Either route, the steam lines need to slope to drip legs and traps. If it's arranged correctly, there won't be any condensate sitting in your steam line. Pockets of condensate, particularly ones that sit for extended periods in steam lines that are out of service and cool off, can result in some REALLY spectacular water hammers.

Check out www.kirsner.org for some accident investigation reports on water hammer events, primarily on large steam distribution systems like a university campus or a military base.

Steamhead

Either way can work

if properly designed. The critical part is making sure the steam main has no condensate trapped in it, otherwise you will get severe water hammer.

I agree that a gravity return is preferable to a pumped return, due to less operating and maintenance costs. Whether the return is wet (full of condensate) or dry (above the water line) will depend on what's best for the job.

The water is pretty good around Baltimore so we don't see too much treatment in this area. Whether or not you need water treatment will depend on the water in your area. Be sure to vent the air from the system quickly as slow venting can aggravate water quality problems.

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