Software for sizing and testing the performance of shell and tube cooler condensers

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Shell and tube condensers come in different sizes, are used in various applications and all require large amounts of cooling water. Their use in the vacuum field where very low pressure losses are required imposes special requirements.

Detailed insight into the performance of these condensers can lead to reduction in operating costs if cooling water can be more effectively utilised. It will also assist in predicting the behaviour of such condensers where fouling/ scale and variation in operating conditions need to be considered. At the design stage, it provides a useful aid when establishing the relationship between performance, capital costs and operating costs.

Software Specification
The software comprises a series of dedicated multi-page spreadsheets which are run under Microsoft 2000 or 2003 for Windows 2000/XP based IBM compatible PC’s.

A 30 day e-mail and fax support service is provided.
The software comes with comprehensive electronic documentation and examples.
Customisable installation via state of the art setup software.
Please note that Microsoft Excel is not supplied with Condenser Critique.

Payback on the software cost is usually achieved within days once operating parameters have been optimised!

The software comprises worksheets which provide the following functionality:

• Composition and conditions of vapour/gas mixtures
• Saturation in vapour/gas mixtures
• Condensation parameters: Colburn & Hougen method using "j" factor
• Condenser physical parameters
• Condenser pressure losses - Kern's method for shell side
• Cost of purchase and installation
• Condenser operating and total costs
• De-superheating in condensers
• Steam condensation on horizontal tubes
• Optimum use of cooling water
• Condenser data summary
• Selected parameters for vapours and gases
• Assorted fouling factors
• Data for some physical properties of air, selected gases, water and selected vapours

Condenser Critique comes with comprehensive documentation and examples.
 

• Examination of the effect of controlling parameters on performance prior to condenser purchase
• Establishing of limits for fouling coefficients on cooling water side of condenser
• Establishing of limits and the effect of air leakage in vacuum condensers
• Establishing the effect of changes in cooling water temperature; seasonal or operational
• Checking of the performance of operating condensers
• Optimisation of cooling water usage
• Any desired process change can be tested for effect on condenser performance without interfering with plant operation
• When composition of the non-condensables or the vapour needs to be changed, the effect on condenser performance can be tested.

Stage 2
Estimated values for the interface temperatures are input and, using iteration procedure, the correct interface temperature is established for each segment in sequence. On completion, the surface area and length for each section, as well as the relevant parameters for each segment are available.

Stage 3
A method is provided for estimating the pressure loss for the condenser. This is crucial where condensers are used in vacuum systems, bearing in mind that the permitted limits for pressure loss are fundamental to condenser selection and design and to the feasibility of vacuum system.

N.B. This software deals with condensation of single component vapours only.