Desuperheater Sizing Calculator

Case 1: Maximum Flow

Inlet Enthalpy (h_in):-
Outlet Enthalpy (h_out):-
BFW Enthalpy (h_bfw):-
Required BFW Flow:-
Inlet Steam Flow:-
BFW/Steam Ratio (wt%):-

Case 2: Normal Flow

Inlet Enthalpy (h_in):-
Outlet Enthalpy (h_out):-
BFW Enthalpy (h_bfw):-
Required BFW Flow:-
Inlet Steam Flow:-
BFW/Steam Ratio (wt%):-

Case 3: Minimum Flow

Inlet Enthalpy (h_in):-
Outlet Enthalpy (h_out):-
BFW Enthalpy (h_bfw):-
Required BFW Flow:-
Inlet Steam Flow:-
BFW/Steam Ratio (wt%):-

Technical Notes

Variable Definitions

  • mΜ‡out: outlet steam mass flow after attemperation (kg/h).
  • Psteam: steam line pressure (kg/cmΒ²G β†’ bar(g)); used as basis for saturation properties.
  • Tin, Tout: inlet and outlet steam temperatures (Β°C).
  • PBFW, TBFW: attemperating water (BFW) pressure and temperature.
  • hin, hout: specific enthalpy of inlet/outlet steam (kJ/kg).
  • hBFW: specific enthalpy of injected water (kJ/kg).
  • mΜ‡BFW: required BFW flow (kg/h) for desuperheating duty.
  • mΜ‡in: inlet steam flow before injection (kg/h) = mΜ‡out βˆ’ mΜ‡BFW.
  • Ratio: BFW/Steam ratio (wt%) = 100Β·mΜ‡BFW/mΜ‡out.

Formulas / Logic

  • Mass balance: mΜ‡in + mΜ‡BFW = mΜ‡out.
  • Energy balance: mΜ‡inhin + mΜ‡BFWhBFW = mΜ‡outhout.
  • Rearranged: mΜ‡BFW = mΜ‡outΒ·(hinβˆ’hout)/(hinβˆ’hBFW).
  • Steam properties (screening): saturation properties are obtained from a small embedded table and linearly interpolated vs absolute pressure; superheat correction uses h β‰ˆ hg + Cp(Tβˆ’Tsat) with Cpβ‰ˆ2.08 kJ/kgΒ·K.
  • Water enthalpy (screening): hBFW β‰ˆ Cp,wΒ·T with Cp,wβ‰ˆ4.186 kJ/kgΒ·K (pressure effect neglected).
For final sizing, use IAPWS-IF97 steam tables / vendor property package and include nozzle atomization, evaporation length, and minimum straight run requirements.

Assumptions / Notes

  • Designed for desuperheating only (outlet temperature must be β‰₯ saturation temperature at steam line pressure).
  • BFW pressure should exceed steam pressure by a suitable margin (often β‰₯ 2 kg/cmΒ²G) to ensure stable injection and good atomization (confirm with vendor).
  • Typical vendor screening guideline for water/steam ratio: 2–15 wt%. Low ratio may cause poor mixing/temperature control; high ratio may indicate condensing duty or unsuitable set-point.
  • Heat losses to surroundings, kinetic energy changes, and pressure drop across the desuperheater are not included in the balance.
  • If the target outlet temperature is close to saturation or below, a separate attemperation + partial condensation analysis is required.

Standards / References

  • IAPWS-IF97 / standard steam tables for water and steam properties (recommended for design).
  • ASME steam property references / accepted steam tables (project-approved basis).
  • Desuperheater vendor sizing practices (spray attemperator performance, minimum straight lengths, droplet evaporation distance, nozzle selection).
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