Desuperheater – Unlike conventional desuperheaters, Komax uses a multiple-stage mixing system using the patented Komax Equalizer Mixing Module. The first stage of mixing occurs at the water injection point; the water is sprayed upstream of the flow using low-pressure full cone spray nozzles to adequately distribute the water across the cross-section. Small droplets are sheared to then even smaller sizes using the velocity from the steam blowing the sprayed water downstream toward the Equalizer. The second stage of mixing occurs at the Equalizer. The equalizer consists of 6 mixing chambers with a helical mixing element in each chamber, which leads to 12 divisions and instances of increased turbulence between the steam and water. Thus, further shearing the water droplets to be effectively absorbed into the steam line. The third and last stage of mixing occurs at the Equalizer outlet. This is where the 12 streams recombine to blend together and then complete the mixing and water absorption to be carried downstream to the next part of your process.
Because of these mixing processes, we are able to significantly reduce the downstream requirements from approximately 30 pipe diameters to 10 pipe diameters before the temperature probe. The quick absorption of the water into the steam also greatly reduces the risk of stress in the piping due to thermal cycling, as water will not pool on the bottom of the pipeline. This removes the need for expensive thermal liners in the Komax Desuperheater, however, liners can be included in the design if desired.