Desuperheaters are devices that are used to remove superheat from steam. Superheat is the excess heat that is present in steam above its saturation temperature. They are commonly used in power plants and other industrial facilities where steam is used.

While desuperheaters are typically used in power plants, they can also be used in other types of plants such as those that produce Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). In an LNG plant, desuperheaters can be used to remove superheat from the gas before it is cooled and liquefied. This is important because removing the superheat helps to ensure that the LNG remains a liquid at cryogenic temperatures.

Benefits of Desuperheaters

There are several benefits of using desuperheaters in an LNG plant. First, desuperheaters can help to improve the efficiency of the plant by ensuring that the LNG is cooled to its optimum temperature. Second, desuperheaters can help to reduce the formation of methane hydrates. Methane hydrates are a type of ice that can form when methane (the main component of natural gas) comes into contact with water. When methane hydrates form, they can block pipelines and other equipment, which can cause problems for the plant.

They are an important part of an LNG plant and can help to improve the efficiency of the plant and reduce the formation of methane hydrates. If you are planning to build an LNG plant, be sure to include desuperheaters in your design.

Komax Desuperheaters vs. Conventional Desuperheaters

The Komax Desuperheater utilizes a different style of cooling compared to conventional desuperheaters on the market. Using a low-pressure spray nozzle rather than a high-pressure nozzle, we are able to inject a cone of cooling water (or cooling fluid) upstream to begin the cooling process. Steam then interacts with the cooling water, forcing it downstream and through our patented Equalizer™ mixing module. The water is then violently mixed with the steam, cooling the steam to the desired temperature.

The Equalizer™ is outfitted with six mixing chambers, each of which with their own helical mixing element. These mixing chambers create an ideal environment for the water to be absorbed by the steam. As the mixing element forces the water particles to break up more fine in order for the steam to absorb, the six mixing chambers are combined at the outlet of the Equalizer™ and recombined into the stream with a uniform temperature profile.

Your Best Option

Komax is the best option for desuperheating in an LNG plant. Our desuperheaters are able to remove superheat from the gas before it is cooled and liquefied, which helps to ensure that the LNG remains a liquid at cryogenic temperatures. In addition, we can help to improve the efficiency of the plant and reduce the formation of methane hydrates. If you are planning to build an LNG plant, be sure to include Komax desuperheaters in your design.