Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 45

Maintenance and Reliability
out which optimization becomes impossible.
Then, drain and separate moisture
from the steam supply immediately before
each turbine. Drive steam can travel a long
distance through piping systems that may
have insufficient insulation, along lines
where there may be insufficient or blocked
CDL and, in some cases, where steam is
improperly pulled from the bottom of the
utility header rather than the top. Plants
are complex and it is common that the
lines supplying steam to the turbines may
have some improper piping practices, so
optimizing the steam quality at the turbine's
entrance is a best practice recommendation.
Properly select and size float
traps to provide effective drainage through
the turbine itself, as shown in FIG. 13.
Condensing turbines require special
considerations when draining from vacuum
to atmosphere or into the condenser
hotwell, such as pumping condensate or
using extremely high hydraulic head to fill
a trap with condensate (FIGS. 19-21).
Air exhauster systems are critical to
condenser operation, and similar steamquality
and condensate-removal
principles
are recommended for the steam
supplied to ejector systems to optimize
nozzle reliability and benchmark performance
(FIGS. 22 and 23). Finally, drain
traps on inter/after condensers must be
properly balanced for proper condenser
performance (FIG. 24).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author would like to extend special thanks to
Justin McFarland and Tracy Snow for their kind review
and comments.
LITERATURE CITED
1
Cane, B., " Risk based methodology for industrial
steam systems, " Inspectioneering Journal, Vol. 23,
May/June 2017.
2
Hou, M. and T. Mita, " Advanced steam system
optimization program, " Hydrocarbon Processing, May
2018.
3
4
Risko, J. R., " Steam quality considerations, " Chemical
Engineering, May 2020.
Risko, J. R., " Allocate new plant focus to steam
system design-Part
January 2019.
5
6
1, " Hydrocarbon Processing,
Risko, J. R., " Steam trap management: Do something,
anything, please! " Chemical Engineering Progress,
October 2017.
Risko, J. R., " Optimize reliability of steam-driven
turbines, " Distillation Experts Conclave 2022,
online: https://www.tlv.com/global/US/webinars/
optimize-reliability-of-steam-driven-turbines.html
7
8
9
Risko, J. R., " My steam trap is good-Why doesn't it
work? " Chemical Engineering Progress, April 2015.
Risko, J. R., " Beware of the dangers of cold traps, "
Chemical Engineering Progress, February 2013.
Lines, J. R. and R. T. Smith, " Ejector system
troubleshooting, " The International Journal of
Hydrocarbon Engineering, 1997.
FIG. 23. Poor quality motive steam can cause accelerated wear and costly but weakened
performance.
JAMES R. RISKO is President of
TLV Corp. and is responsible for U.S.
and Canadian operations. He has
46 yr of steam systems experience,
has authored more than 60 technical
articles, provided webinars to more
than 3,000 attendees globally, and
presented papers for the Kister Distillation Symposium,
Distillation Experts Conclave, Fractionation Research
Inc., AFPM, AIChE, the Ethylene Conference, RefComm,
IPEIA, IETC, eChemExpo, AEE World and ASHRAE.
He co-invented the world's first combination pump/
traps and created the " Extended Stall Chart " for
draining stalled coils, heat exchangers and reboilers.
A past Chairman of the FCI, Risko is active in FCI and
ANSI standards development. He is an avid tennis
and guitar player and has three energy management
certifications. The author can be reached at
Risko@TLVengineering.com.
FIG. 22. Optimal ejector entrainment is crucial to effective air removal and system performance.
FIG. 24. An improper ⅜ -in. to ¾-in.
balance connection can severely
hinder system operation.
Hydrocarbon Processing | NOVEMBER 2022 45

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