Steam Conditioning Valves: Right Selection

A steam valve controls, isolates, or conditions steam by moving an internal flow-control component in response to manual, mechanical, or actuated input. In a desuperheater application, the equipment introduces water into the steam flow through fixed or variable nozzles to reduce temperature and improve steam heat-transfer capability. Selection depends on the steam system and required control function.

Steam valve types vary by function and may include isolation valves, control valves, pressure-reducing valves, safety valves, and desuperheater or attemperator assemblies. B-Tech Valve's conditioning products include spray-ring fixed-nozzle designs and probe-type variable-nozzle control valve and desuperheater assemblies. The appropriate design depends on line size, pressure class, temperature, and the intended steam application.

The valve used in a steam line depends on whether the requirement is isolation, flow control, pressure reduction, temperature conditioning, or overpressure protection. B-Tech Valve supplies steam attemperators and desuperheaters for temperature conditioning, including SPAD spray-ring designs and LPD probe-type variable-nozzle assemblies. Application data is needed to select the appropriate configuration.

A steam conditioning valve or desuperheater is used to manage steam temperature and improve the suitability of steam for downstream equipment or process duties. The products in this range can support heat-transfer capability, protect piping and steam traps, protect rotating seals, increase steam flow, and reduce boiler loads when correctly sized for the application.

The SPAD Small Pipe Attemperator Desuperheater uses a spray-ring, fixed-nozzle design and clamps between steam pipe flanges. The LPD Large Pipe Desuperheater uses a probe-type variable-nozzle, fully actuated control valve and is intended for pipe sizing of 6 inches and larger. Both designs are used to condition steam, with selection based on line configuration and application requirements.

Selection requires application information such as steam pipe size, operating pressure and temperature, desired conditioning duty, water supply conditions, installation arrangement, and the required pressure class. B-Tech Valve also sizes products for each customer's application. Supplying accurate operating data helps determine whether a spray-ring or probe-type variable-nozzle design is appropriate.