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    Small Drip Legs Cause Big Problem

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    1) Small drip legs can cause big problems like water hammer, pipe erosion, and long startup times if not properly sized and located. 2) Drip legs must be placed to remove condensate from steam lines throughout operation, as condensate flows in different ways depending on conditions. 3) Proper placement and sizing of drip legs according to guidelines can eliminate common steam system issues like leaks and reduced equipment life.

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    Small Drip Legs Cause Big Problem

    Uploaded by

    John
    46 views1 page
    1) Small drip legs can cause big problems like water hammer, pipe erosion, and long startup times if not properly sized and located. 2) Drip legs must be placed to remove condensate from steam lines throughout operation, as condensate flows in different ways depending on conditions. 3) Proper placement and sizing of drip legs according to guidelines can eliminate common steam system issues like leaks and reduced equipment life.

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    Small Drip Legs Cause Big Problem (4)

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    Small Drip Legs Cause Big Problem (4)

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    1) Small drip legs can cause big problems like water hammer, pipe erosion, and long startup times if not properly sized and located. 2) Drip legs must be placed to remove condensate from steam lines throughout operation, as condensate flows in different ways depending on conditions. 3) Proper placement and sizing of drip legs according to guidelines can eliminate common steam system issues like leaks and reduced equipment life.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    46 views1 page

    Small Drip Legs Cause Big Problem

    Uploaded by

    John
    1) Small drip legs can cause big problems like water hammer, pipe erosion, and long startup times if not properly sized and located. 2) Drip legs must be placed to remove condensate from steam lines throughout operation, as condensate flows in different ways depending on conditions. 3) Proper placement and sizing of drip legs according to guidelines can eliminate common steam system issues like leaks and reduced equipment life.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 1

    Engine~~fnnJ FLUID HANDLING/MAINTENANCE

    Small Drip Legs


    Cause Big Problems
    Correct sizing eliminates water hammer,
    pipe erosion, and long startup times

    THOMAS J. GRUBKA, Senior Application Engineer, Armstrong International, Inc., Three Rivers, MI

    t first glance it would seem that creat- Piping, "Suitable drains or drips shall be pro-

    A ing a drip leg is simply a matter of con-


    necting piping or equipment to a cor-
    rectly sized steam trap. But, an analysis of the
    vided wherever necessary to drain the con-
    densate from all sections of the piping and
    equipment where it may collect. ... " Taking a
    few simple precautions when laying out steam
    varying conditions inside a steam system
    reveals that the location and sizing of drip legs lines minimizes the number of collection
    are much more complex than first meets the points.
    eye. • Ensure that steam mains are well support-
    Condensate moves in a combination of ed. This is one of the most important, but
    ways, depending on the type of system under often overlooked, precautions. A pocket of
    consideration. At startup, low pressure and a condensate can be trapped in a section of
    relatively high load create a gravity flow con- main that is sagging due to insufficient sup-
    dition. High condensate loads, combined with port (Fig. 1).
    moderate steam velocities, cause condensate • Use eccentric fittings to provide a contin-
    to flow along the perimeter of piping. Under uous path along the bottom of distribution
    high-velocity, low-load conditions, conden- piping (Fig. 2).
    sate actually becomes entrained in steam. • Pitch steam mains down, in the direction
    Drip legs must be located and designed to of flow, not less than 1 in. for every 20 ft of
    remove condensate from steam lines through- run.
    out the operation cycle, regardless of conden- • Always trap each drip leg with a separate
    sate flow conditions. trap. Even the slight pressure drop found
    Many problems mistakenly thought of as between two adjacent drip legs is enough to
    inevitable in the operation of a "typical" short circuit the system.
    steam system are avoidable. Occurrences such • Properly insulate piping to minimize the
    as water hammer, steam leaks resulting from amount of condensate generated in a distrib-
    pipe erosion, short equipment life, reduced ution line.
    heat transfer, and long startup times are often Along with these general precautions, there
    reduced or eliminated by the proper place- are several specific recommendations that
    ment and sizing of drip legs. should be followed for the proper placement
    of drip legs. Drip legs should be located at
    Drip Leg Location about 300-ft intervals along steam mains, and
    According to Section I, Paragraph 118 (a) never at intervals greater that 500ft. In addi-
    of the American Standard Code for Pressure tion, drip legs should be placed at risers,

    Fig. 1. Condensate collects


    in low areas that are created Sag In Steam Supply Main
    by the sagging ofpoorly sup-
    ported piping.

    -/

    /
    Water Pocket

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