ESTUDIO DEL STRESS TÉRMICO EN LÍNEAS DE CONDUCCIÓN DE VAPOR SOMETIDAS A CICLOS DE PRECALENTAMIENTO RÁPIDO

Abstract

Start-up protocols in process engineering applications using high-pressure steam impose the gradual preheating of components of the facility. This is oriented to prevent sudden expansion of the materials, that might induce high mechanical strains. This is particularly critical in discontinuous processes that are frequently encountered in the chemical and energy industries, when several startup and shutdowns operations occur on a daily basis. In this work, we analyze a fast preheating protocol in a high-pressure steam distribution loop. In order to shorten the duration of the startup period, a critical component of the loop is preheated using electrical blankets, which allowing for a fast injection of high-pressure steam. A numerical method based on FEM is developed in order to evaluate the transient heating phenomena of the steam loop components and the mechanical strains caused by the expansion of the materials.