Best Practices For Installing Steam And Condensate Lines - Nortec EL005 Installation Manual

5.5.3

Best Practices for Installing Steam and Condensate Lines

Nortec recommends that you observe the following best practices for installing atmospheric steam lines
and condensate lines. Refer to
Steam Lines
– Use rigid steam pipes made of copper (MED Type-L) or stainless steel (minimum DIN 1.4301) ex-
clusively, and use steam hoses for short distances only. Use original steam and condensate hoses
from your local Nortec representative. Steam and condensate lines made of any other materials
may adversely affect the operation of the unit, and will void the warranty. Refer to
for details.
Excessive backpressure in the steam line may affect the proper functioning of the humidifier,
and may also cause unexpected release of hot steam vapors. Bare skin exposed to the hot
steam vapours can result in severe burns.
Prevention: Minimize the length of the steam line and the number of bends, as the backpressure
can rise approximately 0.12 in H2O for every foot (100 Pa for every meter) of steam line, and
every 90° elbow.
– The length of the steam line should be kept as short as possible – refer to
details. Avoid 90° bends, or use long radius elbows. Minimum bend radius is 12 in (300 mm) for
steam hoses, and 5× the internal diameter for rigid steam pipes. Exceeding the maximum length
can affect performance of the unit and may void the warranty. Backpressure in the line combined
with duct static pressure must not exceed 5.5 in H2O (1.37 kPa) and 10 in H2O (2.49 kPa) with the
optional fill cup extension.
Note: With oversized steam lines the maximum length can be extended. Use Nortec steam hose
for short distances only. When calculating the total equivalent length, refer also to
for equivalent length of common fittings.
IMPORTANT! When determining the length and routing of steam lines, allowances must be
made for thermal expansion. If a steam hose is used, allowances must be made for shrinkage
in the length of the hose due to aging.
– Do not decrease the diameter of the steam line, as it increases the backpressure in the line and
also allows condensation of the steam. If that is unavoidable, install a Nortec steam line reducer at
the connection to the steam distributor only, and install a condensate line just before the restriction.
Contact your local Nortec representative for details of the reducer.
– If necessary, increase the diameter of the steam line on the downslope and install a condensate
trap at the lowest point.
– Do not combine steam lines except at the steam distributor. Use a Nortec adaptor specifically de-
signed for that purpose, and only if the humidifier steam cylinders operate in parallel.
– If using blower packs with large Nortec EL humidifiers, do not connect the output from both steam
cylinder to a single blower pack. Each blower pack has a maximum capacity of 100 lb/h (45 kg/h).
– The steam line from the humidifier must lead straight upwards for a minimum of 12 in (300 mm)
before continuing on to the steam distribution system.
– The steam line must have a constant minimum upslope of 2 in/12 in (10°), or a constant minimum
downslope of 1/2 in/12 in (2°), as shown in
– Use short lengths of steam hose to connect the steam line to the humidifier or steam distributor.
Secure the steam hoses with clamps.
Installation
26
Figure
WARNING!
Excessive backpressure can result in serious injury or damage to equipment!
16, Figure 17, Figure 18
and
Figure 14 on page
2582302_C_EN_1611
Figure 19
for installation examples.
Table 6 on page 28
27.
Table 6 on page 28
for
Table 7 on page 28
Nortec EL