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BAROMETRIC CONDENSERS
The Barometric Condenser is employed in a variety of Another type of concurrent condenser developed by
industries as an economical means of removing air, Schutte & Koerting is the Barometric M-J-S Condenser, a
exhaust steam, and other vapors from vacuum multi-jet spray type, first introduced to the industry in
equipment. It has been used for decades in the food 1936. The M-J-S Condenser has two water inlets, one
industry for processing edible oil, milk and other products near the center which feeds a set of converging jets
- for nearly a century in sugar refining. Other industries operating at constant pressure to handle the non-
using the Barometric Condenser include alcohol plants condensables; the other inlet feeds a cycle of variable
and distilleries, pulp and paper mills, petroleum refineries, flow spray nozzles near the top of the unit which performs
salt manufacturing plants and a host of chemical plants of the majority of the condensing. This combination permits
varied nature. Thus, the Barometric Condenser is found the adjustment of spray water in accordance with variable
in almost every area of the Chemical and Process loads and injection water temperatures without interfering
Industries which use vacuum stills, calandria pans, with the vacuum maintained. Sizes range from 500 to
multiple-effect evaporators, vacuum crystallizers, and 12,000 gpm. No auxiliary air pump is required.
high-vacuum water and process cooling equipment.
A principal feature of the Barometric Condenser is that
injection water may be discharged through a tail pipe by
gravity, without requiring a pump. Another advantage of
such condensing equipment is its immunity from flooding,
in the event of priming or liquid entrainment. In most
plants, the vapor exhaust connections of vacuum
apparatus are located at considerable elevation above
ground level. The Barometric Condenser here permits
shorter exhaust vapor lines and provides two further
advantages: a reduction of leakage hazard and lower first
cost. Since there are no moving parts, maintenance is
low. The condenser requires little space and is readily
installed.
BASIC TYPES
Barometric Condensers are of two basic types: (1)
concurrent, or parallel flow, in which the vapor to be
condensed enters at the top of the unit and flows in the
same direction as the water, and (2) counter-current, or
counter flow, in which the vapor enters near the bottom of
the equipment and passes upward against the water flow.
Injection water is delivered to the condenser in the form
of jets, sprays, water curtains or a combination,
depending upon service required.
Barometric Jet Condensers are further classified
according to the type of jet action employed. The Multi-
Jet type which was first introduced by Schutte & Koerting
in 1923 consists of water jets only and operates without Index
air pump. The Barometric M-J Condenser, as it is called, Description Page
is recommended for operation under fairly constant loads
where there is relatively little air leakage, and where Multi-Jet (M-J) Barometric Condensers 3
water is not too scarce and, therefore, does not need to Multi-Jet Spray Type (M-J-S) Barometric Condensers 4
be recirculated. Sizes range from 50 to 12,000 gpm. No Multi-Spray (M-S) Barometric Condensers 6
auxiliary air pump is required.
Counter-Current (C-C) Barometric Condensers 8
Performance Data on Barometric Condensers 10
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BAROMETRIC CONDENSERS Bulletin 5AA
Also developed by Schutte & Koerting, and first For example: a condenser operating with 90F injection
introduced in 1940, was a third type - a concurrent water and 10F temperature rise with terminal difference
condenser of the Multi-Spray type, known as the of 5F would be operated at 2.244 inches Hg abs (the
Barometric M-S Condenser. This type is recommended vapor pressure of water at 105F).
where water is in short supply or where an excessive
amount of non-condensables requires the use of a steam SELECTING A CONDENSER
jet air ejector. Water is fed to the center of variable flow The major factors involved in the selection of a type of
sprays similar to the spray nozzles in the M-J-S condenser are: (1) water availability, (2) vacuum
Condenser. Non-condensables are removed through an requirements, and (3) amount of non-condensables
air suction connection located in the central part of the present.
body. A small barometric counter-current condenser is
used as a precooler to reduce the load on the steam jet Where low cost water is available in large quantities and
vacuum pump. Sizes range from 500 to 10,000 gpm. without high pumping costs it is usually unnecessary to
employ a system for water recirculation or cooling. In this
Schutte & Koerting also manufactures Counter-Current situation the simplest unit (a Barometric Multi-Jet
Spray or Tray Type Condensers, also known as C-C Condenser) is most economical, due to lower first costs
Barometric Condensers. They are employed where and installation costs. If the load conditions are fairly
water supply is limited or excessive quantities of non- constant, the M-J Condenser should be given first choice
condensables require a separate vacuum pump, but local provided the non-condensable load is not excessive. If
conditions necessitate a side vapor inlet and a Multi- the load varies and if the temperature of injection water
Spray Type cannot be installed to advantage. They are varies over a wide range, an M-J-S Condenser will allow
also employed to advantage in small sizes. Steam throttling of the injection water and would, therefore, be
requirements for the air pump depend upon the non- more economical in operation.
condensable load. Sizes of Schutte & Koerting C-C
Barometric Condensers range from 10 to 5,000 gpm. If the injection water available is limited, the most suitable
choice of a Barometric Condenser would be the one
CONDENSER THEORY giving the lowest terminal difference, such as a Multi-
The operation of any condenser is described by a simple Spray or Counter-Current Condenser. These
heat balance. The heat added up to the system is the condensers, however, require an auxiliary air pump.
quantity of steam being condensed, expressed in pounds Both the M-S and Counter-Current Condensers operate
per hours, multiplied by the latent heat of vaporization with equal effectiveness. The M-S type is indicated for
expressed in BTU per pound. This must be equal to the large sizes due to its compactness and lower costs with
heat removed by the condensing water which is the the self-draining feature.
quantity of water expressed in pounds per hour multiplied
by the temperature rise from inlet to outlet times the This design cannot be utilized in small sizes, however,
specific heat (which is 1.0 in the case of water). and therefore, the Counter-Current Condenser is
indicated in small sizes or when side vapor inlets are
It is apparent, therefore, that the larger the temperature desired.
rise of the condensing water, the smaller the amount of
water required. Under theoretically perfect conditions, a
condenser could be operated under a vacuum
corresponding to its tail and discharge water temperature,
but no higher. Therefore, if water enters at 90F and took
a 10F rise, the theoretical condenser pressure would be
1.933 inches Hg abs (vapor pressure of water at 100F).
Under normal operation this, of course, can never occur.
Air entering with the injection water and non-
condensables entering with the vapor load exert a partial
pressure. Ultimate condenser pressure is the sum of the
vapor pressure at the tail temperature, plus the partial
pressure of the non-condensables present. The
difference between the temperature of the tail water and
the temperature corresponding to saturated water vapor
at the actual condenser pressure is known as the
"terminal difference". It is a measure of efficiency of
condenser operation.
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BAROMETRIC CONDENSERS Bulletin 5AA
The Type 591 design is used for the four smallest sizes. the body, where they unite to
It has the water inlet at the top and the vapor inlet at the form a single jet. Vapors
side. This unit consists of a body (a closed cylindrical entering the condenser come
chamber), and water nozzle housing at the top water into direct contact with the
inlet; and jet type water nozzles. converging water and are Vapor
condensed. Non-condensables Inlet
The Type 590 design is used for all sizes above the are also entrained and
smallest four. This design has the vapor inlet at the top discharged by the water jet
and the water inlet at the side. It consists of a body; water action.
nozzle case and plate and jet type water nozzles. An
inspection cover located directly opposite the nozzle case Terminal difference obtainable Fig. 2.
permits easy access to the nozzles. Supporting brackets, with this type of condenser is 11 Type 591
to 13F.
TABLE 1. SIZES, CAPACITIES, DIMENSIONS, AND WEIGHTS OF S&K
MULTI-JET, BAROMETRIC CONDENSERS, TYPES 590 AND 591 Discharge
D
Maximum Overall Dimensions, Approx. Weight,
Size Connections, Inches A
Water Feet and Inches Lb.
No. Capacity,
gpm A B C D E C.I. FAB. ST.
B
2 50 5 2 1/2 2 7" 23" 500 -
3 85 6 3 2 1/2 8" 30" 550 - Type 590
(Sizes 26 to 43)
4 130 8 4 3 9" 32" 600 -
E
5 210 10 4 4 10 3/4" 36 7/8" 675 -
26 375 14 5 5 2' 4 1/2" 4' 5 3/4" 1300 650
27 425 18 5 5 2' 4 1/2" 4' 5 3/4" 1400 700
28 475 18 5 6 2' 4 1/2" 4' 5 3/4" 1450 725
29 550 20 6 6 2' 6 1/2" 4' 6 1/4" 1600 800
30 625 20 6 6 2' 6 1/2" 4' 6 1/4" 1600 800 B C
31 750 24 6 6 2' 11" 5' 2" 1900 1050
32 950 24 8 8 2' 11" 5' 2" 2000 1300
33 1100 30 8 8 3' 7" 5' 6" 3300 1700
34 1300 30 8 8 3' 7" 5' 6" 3300 1700
35 1700 30 8 10 4' 0" 6' 8 1/2" 5000 2900 Type 591
A (Sizes 2 to 5)
36 2200 36 10 10 4' 5" 7' 1 1/4" 6000 3100
37 3200 42 12 12 5' 3" 8' 0" 8000 4000 E
38 3800 48 12 12 5' 7 1/2" 8' 8" 9500 5000
39 5000 54 14 14 6' 4" 10' 2" 11000
40 6000 60 16 16 7' 6 1/2" 11' 10" 14000 D
41 8000 60 18 18 7' 6 1/2" 11' 10" 16000
42 9000 66 20 20 8' 4" 13' 4" 20000
43 12000 72 24 24 9' 0" 14' 2" 22000 C
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BAROMETRIC CONDENSERS Bulletin 5AA
S&K MULTI-JET SPRAY TYPE (M-J-S) The spray nozzles are readily accessible from the outside
BAROMETRIC CONDENSERS by means of hand-holes located opposite each nozzle.
The jet nozzles are accessible for inspection through an
APPLICATION opening in the side of the condenser and hand-hole cover
S&K Type 592 M-J-S Condensers are generally on the end of the nozzle case.
employed where large capacities are required and where OPERATION
wide fluctuations in water temperature or steam load
occur. They are used extensively in canneries, in sugar, Vapors entering the condenser at the top are condensed
milk, and other food plants; in pulp and paper mills, by water from the spray nozzles. Non-condensables are
distilleries; petroleum refineries, and a wide variety of drawn into the tail-piece of the condenser by the
chemical and salt manufacturing companies. converging water stream from the jet nozzles.
Condensing water and non-condensables are discharged
The flexibility of operation achieved by this condenser is through the tail pipe at the bottom.
apparent from its design. For full vapor load the rated
water capacity is passed through both the spray and jet Vapor Inlet
nozzles. If the load or water temperature decreases, it is
possible to throttle the water to the spray nozzles and
ultimately turn them off completely. In the latter case, the Water
condenser is operating similar to the Multi-Jet type Inlet
(Spray)
previously described, but with a minimum of injection
water under the given conditions.
CONSTRUCTION
Water
S&K Multi-Jet Spray Barometric Condensers consist of a Inlet
body, a water nozzle case and plate with jet type nozzles, (Jet)
and spray type nozzles which are threaded into the body
and fed by means of a ring cast at the top of the
condenser. Water enters through the two inlets, leaving
from the lower nozzles in the form of converging jet
streams and from the upper nozzles in the form of
converging sprays. The spray nozzles are of special non-
clogging design with the spiral case integral with the
nozzle body. For details on these nozzles, see page 12. Fig. 3
Type 592
Discharge
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BAROMETRIC CONDENSERS Bulletin 5AA
Catchall
Fig. 4
M-J-S
Condenser
Make Up With
Float Controlled Valve
Evaporator
Cold Water
Pump
Spray Pond
Spray Pond
Overflow Barometric Leg
Hot Water By-Pass
Float
Overflow
Valve
to Sewer
Hot Water
Pump
Separator
Hot Well
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BAROMETRIC CONDENSERS Bulletin 5AA
Air Pre-
Pump Cooler
Vapor Inlet
Water
Inlet
Fig. 6
Type 594
Barometric
Leg
Discharge
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BAROMETRIC CONDENSERS Bulletin 5AA
S&K MULTI SPRAY (M-S) It is possible in a well designed "tight" system to obtain
BAROMETRIC CONDENSERS terminal differences as low as 3 to 5F, but it must be
remembered that the non-condensables are removed by
PERFORMANCE an adequate air pump, so that no additional injection
The S&K Multi-Spray Barometric Condenser offers a water is required to handle the non-condensables.
number of advantages in its design which provide In case of a breakdown or necessary repairs to the air
efficient performance. The parallel flow design, with top pump, it is highly desirable to be able to operate without
vapor inlet, effectively prevents flooding under all it and still maintain an adequate vacuum. The downward
circumstances. Also, the absence of distributing trays in suction effect of the Multi-Spray sprays makes it possible
the Multi-Spray design is a distinct advantage, because in an emergency to operate this type of condenser
trays could sometimes be clogged or fouled and give without air pump for short periods at slightly less vacuum.
poor water distribution, thus permitting steam to reach the
air pump. In the counter-current condenser the pressure For performance data, refer to the curve on page 11.
drop between side vapor inlet and top air pump suction
increases with vapor load and water flow. This serious
disadvantage is entirely overcome with the multi-spray
design. In addition, the required shell diameter is less,
offering savings in space and cost. A
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BAROMETRIC CONDENSERS Bulletin 5AA
S&K COUNTER-CURRENT (C-C) Type 597 Condensers are made in sizes No. 0 through 5,
BAROMETRIC CONDENSERS in cast iron or Haveg and Polyester Fiberglass. They
utilize a spray nozzle for initial water distribution, and a
APPLICATION tray to maintain the proper curtains.
Where water supply is limited or an excessive amount of S&K Counter-Current Condensers of this type require a
non-condensables requires the use of a separate vacuum separate steam jet vacuum pump as described in Bulletin
pump, and local conditions necessitate a side vapor inlet, 5EH. The illustration of a Type 598 installation shows a
S&K Barometric Counter-Current Condensers, Type 597 typical barometric arrangement with auxiliary air pump.
is the only S&K Condenser available in small sizes to
meet the requirements of the above conditions. OPERATION
CONSTRUCTION In both the Type 597 and Type 598 units, injection water
enters the condenser through a water nozzle at the top of
The Type 598 Condenser consists of a cylindrical body the unit. A distribution tray in the shell provides a "water
with side vapor inlet, top water inlet, and internal curtain" through which the vapor must pass. The spray
distribution trays. Available in sizes No. 18 and larger, nozzles are located to provide maximum effective
they have fabricated construction. distribution independent of the leveling of the condenser.
Most of the vapor entering the condenser is condensed in
Water Inlet
the lower part of the shell, and the non-condensables are
then required to travel upward through the water curtains.
A baffle arrangement is provided at the air suction
connection to reduce to a minimum the carry-over of
water that may have been entrained as the air passes
through the condenser.
Fig. 7.
Water Inlet
Type 598
Exhaust
Air
Air
Pump
Vapor Fig. 8.
Inlet Type 597
Vapor
Barometric
Inlet
Discharge Legs
Hot Well
Discharge
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BAROMETRIC CONDENSERS Bulletin 5AA
as high as 30F to 50F may be expected since the as most special materials. The
condenser is actually performing as a gas cooler. This is construction also lends itself B
particularly true where counter-current condensers are readily to rubber lining.
used as intercondensers for multi-stage steam jet
vacuum pumps (see Bulletin 5-EH). For performance data, refer to
the curve on page 11. D
As in other S&K Condensers, there are no moving parts
in the Counter-Current Condenser. Also, little
maintenance is required and provision can be made for
TABLE 4. TYPICAL SIZES, CAPACITIES, DIMENSIONS, AND WEIGHTS OF S&K COUNTER-CURRENT BAROMETRIC
CONDENSERS, TYPES 597, AND 598
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BAROMETRIC CONDENSERS Bulletin 5AA
PERFORMANCE DATA
BAROMETRIC CONDENSERS
The air removal capacity of the water jets in the M-J
Barometric Condenser is usually greater than that of
mechanical vacuum pumps used with ordinary
barometric condensers of equal capacity. This feature is
clearly illustrated in Fig. 9. These curves plot the results
of a comparative test between a Multi-Jet Condenser and
a dry air pump. The test was made to establish the time
required for priming a large vacuum pan in a sugar mill.
A Multi-Jet Condenser, without auxiliary air pump, was
installed to replace a counter-current barometric
condenser equipped with motor-driven dry vacuum
pump. As shown in the curves, the Multi-Jet Condenser
produced a vacuum of 28 inches Hg with injection water
at 80F; the dry vacuum pump, however, raised the
vacuum to only 25 inches Hg in the same time (20
minutes). These tests were made on a cold and empty
pan of 2600 cu. ft. volume. The horsepower input to the
previously used dry vacuum pump was equivalent to the
power input to the Multi-Jet Condenser without auxiliary
air pump. With liquid in the pan, the starting period was
greatly reduced and only a few minutes were required to
establish the vacuum.
30
ER
NS
NDE
25 CO
-JET
LTI
MU P
UM
VACUUM IN INCHES Hg
U MP
20 A CU
YV
DR
15
10
0
0 5 10 15 20
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BAROMETRIC CONDENSERS Bulletin 5AA
1
SUCTION PRESSURE IN INCHES Hg ABS.
60
2
70
3 80
90
4
100
105
5
110
6
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
1
SUCTION PRESSURE IN INCHES Hg ABS.
60
2
70
80
3
90
95
4
6
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
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BAROMETRIC CONDENSERS Bulletin 5AA
To increase efficiency and cut the time required to Two of eight S&K M-J and M-J-S Barometric
dehydrate whole fish into fish meal, rich in proteins, Condensers installed in a large sugar refinery are
vitamins, and minerals, a large marine products shown in this photo. For over fifty years, S&K has
company installed seven S&KM-J Barometric
Condensers at each of two plants - a total of fourteen. been furnishing this type of equipment to major sugar
manufacturers in the United States and abroad.
ISO
9001
Certified
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