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ashoksmulpuri
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What is the function of drain cooler in a feed water heater and is there any reason that it is integral within the heat exchanger but some times it is also placed outside the heater.
ashoksmulpuri said:What is the function of drain cooler in a feed water heater and is there any reason that it is integral within the heat exchanger but some times it is also placed outside the heater.
A feed water heater is a type of heat exchanger that is used in power plants to preheat the water that is used to produce steam. This preheating process helps to improve the efficiency of the power plant by reducing the amount of fuel needed to produce the same amount of steam.
A feed water heater works by using hot steam from the turbine to heat up the feed water before it enters the boiler. The hot steam and cold water flow in opposite directions through the heat exchanger, allowing the feed water to absorb heat from the steam and increase in temperature.
Using a feed water heater in a power plant has several benefits. It helps to improve the overall efficiency of the plant, reduces the amount of fuel needed to produce steam, and can also help to extend the lifespan of the boiler by reducing thermal stress on the equipment.
There are two main types of feed water heaters: open and closed. Open feed water heaters allow the steam and water to mix, while closed feed water heaters keep the steam and water separate. Closed feed water heaters are further divided into low pressure and high pressure heaters, depending on the pressure of the steam used.
The performance of a feed water heater is typically measured by the amount of heat transferred from the steam to the feed water. This is known as the heat transfer rate and is usually expressed in terms of energy transferred per unit time, such as BTU per hour or kilowatts. Other factors, such as pressure and temperature, may also be considered when evaluating the performance of a feed water heater.