Skip to main content

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

  • out: outlet steam mass flow after attemperation (kg/h).
  • Psteam: steam line pressure (kg/cm²G → bar(g)); used as basis for saturation properties.
  • Tin, Tout: inlet and outlet steam temperatures (°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).
  • BFW: required BFW flow (kg/h) for desuperheating duty.
  • in: inlet steam flow before injection (kg/h) = ṁout − ṁBFW.
  • Ratio: BFW/Steam ratio (wt%) = 100·ṁBFW/ṁout.

Formulas / Logic

  • Mass balance: in + ṁBFW = ṁout.
  • Energy balance: inhin + ṁBFWhBFW = ṁouthout.
  • Rearranged: BFW = ṁout·(hin−hout)/(hin−hBFW).
  • Steam properties (screening): saturation properties are obtained from a small embedded table and linearly interpolated vs absolute pressure; superheat correction uses h ≈ hg + Cp(T−Tsat) with Cp≈2.08 kJ/kg·K.
  • Water enthalpy (screening): hBFW ≈ Cp,w·T with Cp,w≈4.186 kJ/kg·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 ≥ saturation temperature at steam line pressure).
  • BFW pressure should exceed steam pressure by a suitable margin (often ≥ 2 kg/cm²G) 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).
🍪 We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more