Improving Efficiency of Steam Separators in Power Plant

In order to separate droplets from the steam, a new type steam separator with high efficiency in power plant is presented. An experimental model is established for determining the structure parameters and critical velocity of steam separator. Fibreglass filtering method is used for measuring the separation efficiency of steam separator. The results show that separation efficiency of the steam separator with collecting hooks is higher than that of without it. The plate length of the steam separator has almost no effect on the separation efficiency. The turning angle of the separator is at 54°, the plate spacing is at 20 mm and the critical velocity is at 5 m/s to improve the efficiency. The water film adhering on the plate wall will break when the gas velocity is more than the critical velocity. The separation efficiency decreases and secondary liquid entrainment increases significantly. Separation efficiency of steam separator is high when moisture content of inlet gas is less than 30 g/m³, however, it is low when moisture content of that is more than 50 g/m³. The optimum structure parameters and empirical formula of separation efficiency can be obtained from the experimental analysis. It is beneficial to the industrial design of steam separator in power plant.