Detail
VCH Atmospheric Waste Heat Recovery Systems
VIRA VCH Atmospheric Waste Heat Recovery Systems are designed to recover energy from flash steam and suitable clean waste-steam streams that cannot be reused directly in the steam distribution system. Instead of allowing this energy to escape through a vent line, the VCH system condenses the steam and transfers its heat to a separate water circuit for reuse.
Atmospheric Indirect Heat Transfer
Flash steam enters the VCH unit and condenses around the heat-transfer surface, while clean water flows through an independent water circuit. The two fluids do not mix. As the steam condenses, its latent heat is transferred to the water, providing a useful hot-water source for make-up-water preheating, cleaning, process-water heating or other suitable applications.
Recover Heat while Reducing Vapour Plumes
Flash steam vented from condensate tanks, process vessels, sterilizers, steamers and similar equipment can create visible vapour clouds, increase local humidity and represent a continuous energy loss. VCH systems convert this otherwise wasted heat into useful hot water, helping improve the working environment and reduce the visible steam plume around the plant.
Atmospheric Operation with Low Additional Backpressure
The VCH range operates at atmospheric conditions and is designed to minimise additional backpressure on steam-using equipment. This makes it suitable for low-pressure flash steam applications where direct reuse of steam is not practical. For optimum performance, the flash steam stream should be suitable for condensation and evaluated for air or other non-condensable gases.
Three Standard Models for Different Duties
The VCH range includes VCH3, VCH5 and VCH8 models for flash steam capacities of 300 kg/h, 500 kg/h and 800 kg/h respectively. Each model is selected according to available flash steam, water flow, required heat duty, connection requirements and operating conditions. Special engineering and project-specific configurations can be evaluated where required.
Typical Applications
VCH systems are suitable for condensate tank vent recovery, process tank vents, flash steam from sterilizers and steamers, hot-water and process tanks, water preheating duties and industrial applications requiring recovery of clean flash steam before atmospheric discharge.
| Specification | VCH3 | VCH5 | VCH8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash Steam Capacity | 300 kg/h | 500 kg/h | 800 kg/h |
| Water Flow to Be Heated | 3 m³/h at 5 barg | 10 m³/h at 5 barg | 20 m³/h at 5 barg |
| Max. Thermal Capacity | 160,000 kcal/h | 270,000 kcal/h | 430,000 kcal/h |
| Water Inlet / Outlet Connection | DN25 | DN40 | DN50 |
| Max. Water Inlet Pressure | 16 barg | 16 barg | 16 barg |
| Flash Steam Inlet Connection | DN100 | DN150 | DN150 |
| Vent Connection | DN150 | DN200 | DN200 |
| Condensate Outlet Connection | DN50 | DN65 | DN65 |
| Drain Connection | BSP 1″ | BSP 1″ | BSP 1″ |
| Condensate Outlet Temperature | 90 °C | 90 °C | 90 °C |
