Desuperheaters play an important role in a variety of industries.  The desuperheater is critical in power generation as superheated steam is an energy source.  Desuperheaters are also key in the food and beverage industry, ensuring the reliability of products.  Here is a look at the role of the desuperheater within these two major industries.

Desuperheaters Core Function

The primary role of a desuperheater is to reduce the temperature of superheated steam or other vapors.  It achieves the temperature decrease as a result of the process vapor being brought into direct contact with another liquid.

How Desuperheaters Drive Power Generation

Superheated steam drives turbines in power stations, thus its power as an energy source.  However, the desuperheater serves the critical function of drying out the steam.  Dry steam is necessary as water can damage the power-generating turbines.  By using the method of desuperheating the superheated steam is reinstated to its saturated state and can also reduce the temperature.

The process of using a desuperheater to reduce the superheated steam for a turbine or power engine is turbine bypass desuperheating.  This process helps the power generation industry operate fast and effectively.

How Desuperheaters Solve the Food & Beverage Industries Problems

Superheated steam can rapidly transfer heat to the substance being processed, causing its rapid heating.  However, when the superheated temperature exceeds the saturated temperature, the superheat needs to be brought closer to that of saturation.

The food and beverage industry experience reliability issues caused by steam-conditioning challenges.  Desuperheated steam is more efficient in transferring thermal energy.

In process industries, they commonly use desuperheaters as part of a system for reducing the temperature and pressure of steam from boilers to economical levels of operation.  Desuperheaters also allow the use of thinner pipes, lighter flanges, and less expensive materials.

What Makes Komax Desuperheaters Different

The Komax Desuperheater operates with a distinctive approach to desuperheating when compared to conventional desuperheaters.  Komax has a patent on the Equalizer Mixing Module which can shearwater or fluid droplets into very fine sizes.  Thus the absorption is more effective into the steam line.  They build this feature into every desuperheater design.

The module makes for quick and efficient absorption of water into the superheated steam line.  Resulting in the desired outcome in a more efficient way than any other on the market today.

Other Industries that Use the Desuperheater

In addition to power generation and the food and beverage industry, there are several other industries that find the use of a desuperheater invaluable.

• Chemical
• Oil and Gas
• LNG
• Petrochemical
• Pulp and Paper
• Oil Sands and Mining Material
• Plastics Industry

Leading the Way

Komax is leading the way in desuperheating and static mixing technology.  Komax can customize any solution to specifically fit any industry’s needs.  With over 100,00 installations worldwide they prove their designs to be successful.  Contact their engineering department to improve your process applications with significantly cost-effective solutions.