Excess Steam Condenser

Duty: 455 MMBTU/Hr

No. of fans: 16

HP steam header, 620

PCV-1

HP steam header, 620

TI
psigPI

Letdown
station
ON/OFF fin fan
To maintain
160-200 oF

PCV-2

LP header, 60
psig

Set @ 60
psig

Condensate
to flash
drums

Current control situation

The main supplier of LP steam (60pig, 350 oF) in our plant is the
letdown station PCV-1, and the excess steam in LP steam header will
be condensed through Fin Fans as shown above through PCV-2. The
current situation is manual PCV-1 and PCV-2. Our target is to automate
the system, but unfortunately we couldnt due to hammering issue.
Our experience with AUTO mode:
Once we place the system on AUTO mode, severe hammering will start
due reverse operation of both PCV-1 and PCV-2. For example, if the
pressure in LP header increases the PCV-2 will start to open to get rid
of the excess pressure and PCV-1 will start to close and vice versa. The
fin fan response will take time to start/stop for maintaining the outlet
temperature and liquid phase. Therefore, steam will appear in the
outlet condensate causing the mentioned hammering.