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HEI 117 9th Edition

Standards for Direct Contact Barometric and Low Level Condensers, 9th Edition
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The HEI Standards for Direct Contact Barometric and Low Level Condensers (9th Edition) is the definitive technical manual for equipment where steam and cooling water are mixed directly, rather than being separated by tube walls.

While surface condensers (tubular) are more common in modern high-capacity power plants, direct contact condensers remain vital for specific industrial processes, geothermal applications, and smaller power cycles due to their simplicity and lower initial cost.

Core Definitions

The standard distinguishes between the two primary types of direct contact units:

  • Barometric Condensers: These are mounted at a high elevation (at least 34 feet/10.4 meters) so that the condensate and cooling water can drain out via gravity through a "tailpipe" into a sealed hotwell, maintaining the vacuum without a pump.
  • Low-Level Condensers: These are installed at ground level or in a basement. Because gravity cannot overcome the atmospheric pressure, a dedicated pump is required to remove the water from the vacuum chamber.

Key Technical Coverage

The 9th Edition provides standardized methods for:

  • Heat Transfer Calculations: Formulas to determine the required water-to-steam ratios to achieve complete condensation.
  • Structural Design: Requirements for shell thickness, support structures, and the internal "trays" or spray nozzles used to maximize the surface area of the water droplets.
  • Air Removal Sizing: Guidelines for sizing the vacuum pumps or steam jet ejectors needed to remove non-condensable gases, which is more complex in these units because the cooling water itself releases dissolved air into the vacuum.
  • Pressure Drop: Methods for calculating the "terminal temperature difference" (the gap between the steam temperature and the exiting water temperature).
SDO HEI: Heat Exchange Institute
Document Number 117
Publication Date Jan. 1, 2014
Language en - English
Page Count 53
Revision Level 9
Supercedes
Committee
Publish Date Document Id Type View
Jan. 1, 2014 HEI 117 9th Edition Revision