MULTIPLE NOZZLE SPRAY DESUPERHEATER

WORKING PRINCIPLES

The MULTIPLE NOZZLE SPRAY (MNS) DESUPERHEATER valve regulates the amount of injection water
by varying the number of injection nozzles in operation. This enables the water pressure to remain constant
and an excellent and near uniform spray quality is achieved across the entire operation range. Control of
nozzle opening is achieved by the positioning of a piston that is operated directly by an actuator mounted on
the valve. This simple design means that no separate water injection control valve is necessary.
CONSTRUCTION

The MNS DESUPERHEATER is available in two basic executions:

HEAVY DUTY (fully forged body construction) for use on medium/high pressure steam applications.
STANDARD DUTY (welded body construction) for use on medium/low pressure steam applications.
The MNS DESUPERHEATER van be made from a wide range of construction materials. Pneumatic actuators
are available from a wide variety of sub-suppliers. The units can also be equipped with low-trust electric
actuators.
MULTIPLE NOZZLE HEADS

The MNS DESUPERHEATER may be equipped with a variety of spray heads. The uniform body threading
accepts spray cylinder heads with a wide range of Kv (Cv) values. Standard configurations have either 6 or 9
equally sized spray nozzles, but combinations are available as the so called mixed spray heads. This
feature enables the MNS DESUPERHEATER to be customized to the specific requirement.
ADVANTAGES

No steam side pressure drop:

A negligible steam side pressure drop makes this type suitable for those applications where steam side
pressure drop is limited, as in turbine exhausts.
No need for a separate water control valve:
Due to an integrated and directly actuated water injection control valve no separate control valve is
required.
High-tech nozzles:
Nozzles are constructed using the most up-to-date technology available, resulting in a fine symmetrical
hollow cone spray.
Large capacity range:
Due to the availability of a large variety of typical spray nozzles a large injection water capacity range can
be offered.

VENTURI DESUPERHEATER
WORKING PRINCIPLES

In the IMTECH-KIEKENS VENTURI style DESUPERHEATER the cooling water enters the VENTURI through
a special streamlined spray nozzle. On the surface of this spray nozzle a thin film of the water will be
formed. The dynamic energy of the incoming steam flow breaks the surface tension of the film, creating a
conical shaped, spray (at slightly lower pressure) of atomized cooling water.
Correct mixing is attained by the turbulence of the steam flow, which is caused by the interaction of the
VENTURI effect and the specially shaped spray nozzle. The result is rapid and total evaporation of the
cooling water. As a consequence, optimal and swift temperature control adjustments are possible. This also
avoids the need for any protective liners in downstream piping.
CONSTRUCTION

The body of a VENTURI style DESUPERHEATER can be made of various kinds of forged steel. The material
varies from carbon, light- & high alloy and stainless steel to special materials. Spray nozzle and its matching
parts are always made of stainless steel.
According to specific requirements, an IMTECH-KIEKENS VENTURI style DESUPERHEATER can be installed
into a piping system with either flanged connections or welded joints. All units are made according to ANSI,
BS, DIN, JIS or any other accepted international standard as specified by the customer.
ADVANTAGES

Custom design:
For any size, standard or capacity
Simple installation:
Installation is possible in any position. Short straight pipe runs. Limited control loops.
Easy maintenance:
No moving parts, no pipe liners and no welding in the construction. Large spray aperture avoids the spray
nozzle becoming chocked.
Energy saving:
No need for a water supply pressure significantly higher than operating steam pressure and no need for
atomizing assist steam.
Large desuperheating range:
It is possible to handle extremely large differences in enthalpy between the incoming and outgoing steam
flow.
Reliability:
Units can be in operation for over 30 years, without any maintenance required.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

(FAQ)

What steam flow range (turndown) is possible with the available steam side pressure drop?
(ONLY FOR VENTURI)
Answer:
The range of steam flow that can be accommodated by the IMTECH-KIEKENS DESUPERHEATER depends on
the available steam side pressure drop. In the VENTURI style desuperheater the cooling water spray is
maintained by the dynamic energy of the steam flow. Accordingly, if the steam flow is turned down from
maximum to zero, at some point there will be insufficient dynamic energy to atomize the spray water. The
dynamic energy of the steam flow is related to the steam side pressure drop over the DESUPERHEATER.
Research and experience have proven the pressure drop of an IMTECH-KIEKENS DESUPERHEATER has to be
over 0.05 bar* in order to provide sufficient dynamic energy.
There is an approximate relationship between pressure drop and steam flow of:
= maximum steam flow/minimum steam flow
Consequently, at an available maximum pressure drop of 0.5 bar, the steam flow range will be
or approximately 3:1
Therefore, in preparing requirements, extra attention must be paid to the steam flow range; especially in
applications without pressure reduction and/or where pressure drop is limited.
Why is it not possible to obtain controlled steam at saturation temperature?
Answer:
If we have an application where on the outlet saturated steam is requested, we always recommend a set
point of the temperature controller at 5C above saturation temperature, due to the occurring practical
control limitations. The temperature sensor (TT), located at several meters downstream the water injection
point, that regulates the opening of the water control valve, has to operate in a so called dry environment
to operate properly. If wet steam reaches the TT, the system will start to oscillate resulting in rapid
opening and closing of the water valve and no control is possible. This means that the steam must not
contain any water droplets. At saturation temperature the steam flow will start to contain water (gets
wet). Therefore in practice the outlet temperature will always be controlled at several degrees above the
saturation temperature.
We can achieve and recommend a gap of 5C for our VENTURI unit and about 7C for the MNS unit