Desuperheaters for Chemical Plants

By conditioning superheated steam, desuperheaters help limit excessive thermal exposure in downstream equipment. The product applications include protecting piping, steam traps and rotating seals. Proper sizing and installation are important because the desuperheater must match the process steam conditions, pipe arrangement and desired temperature control performance.

B-Tech Valve offers SPAD small-pipe spray-ring desuperheaters with fixed nozzles and LPD large-pipe probe-type desuperheaters with a variable-nozzle, fully actuated control valve. The SPAD clamps between steam pipe flanges, while the LPD uses a flanged insertion at 90 degrees on the steam pipe.

The listed products are available in ASME B16.34 pressure classes 150, 300, 600, 900, 1500, 2500 and 2700. Selection should be based on the application’s design and operating requirements. B-Tech Valve can provide application guidance for choosing a suitable configuration and pressure class.

The SPAD, Steam Attemperator and LPD product information lists temperature ratings up to 1200°F (650°C). Actual application suitability should be confirmed against the chemical plant’s steam conditions, materials, pressure class, installation arrangement and required operating range.

The SPAD and Steam Attemperator are fed water from a separate temperature control valve. This arrangement supports the fixed-nozzle spray-ring design. The final water-control configuration and sizing should be reviewed against the steam conditions, desired outlet temperature and process control requirements.

Selection should consider pipe size, steam pressure and temperature, required outlet conditions, installation arrangement and the desired control approach. SPAD and Steam Attemperator designs use a fixed spray ring, while the LPD is intended for pipes 6 inches and larger and uses variable-nozzle control. B-Tech Valve sizes products for each application.