What is a barometric condenser?

How does it work and its purpose in a

vacuum system?
Definition and general working
Direct contact condensers in the vacuum system are called the barometric condensers
because they are located at and above the barometric height of water which is 34 feet of
water in order for water to discharge by gravity from the condenser even if the vacuum in
the condenser is 760 mm. The purpose of a barometric condenser is to de-superheat and
condense the incoming vapors plus cool the exiting gases leaving a vacuum device while
developing the lowest possible pressure. A vacuum system can have multiple
ejector/barometric condenser stages wherein each stage incrementally increases pressure
until atmospheric pressure is achieved. The drain leg [34 feet] is called a barometric leg. Its
purpose is to expel the cooling water/condensate mixture to the atmosphere while
saturated non-condensable exit the condenser vent. The vertical ‘down-flow’ drain leg
terminates in a receiver (or Hot well) installed at ground level as the image is showing.

Further explanation

For further definition of the “barometric leg”, let us say that the operating pressure of the
direct contact condenser is 15” HgA, while the ‘sealed’ drain leg to the hot well receiver is
at atmospheric pressure (say 30” HgA or 14.7 psia). In this case, the atmospheric pressure
‘pressing down’ on the hot well water level surface will push the water level up to meet the
condenser’s operating pressure of 15”HgA (or 17 feet of water in the drain leg piping). The
condenser would have to be installed so that the flanged tailpipe outlet from the condenser
is 17 feet absolute minimum above the Hotwell. To ensure that the condenser lower body
bottom section does not flood if the vacuum actually increases, it is recommended that the
condenser be mounted 34 ft above the Hotwell water level.

Barometric condenser calculation

GPM = PPH x 1000 (T2-T1)500(Cp) (S.G.) GPM = gallons per minute of condensing fluid
water, PPH = pounds per hour of steam condensed, T2 = condensing fluid outlet
temperature degree F, T1 = condensing fluid inlet temperature degree F Cp = specific heat
S.G. = specific gravity. The control point for a barometric condenser is (T2-T1). Once you
have arrived at this ∆T, make sure it never exceeds. A good practice is to put a temperature
sensor at the barometT controls the quantity of water to your condenser for your operating
vapor load for a process at a given vacuum. When ∆T exceeds your control point vacuum
drops and finally condenser floods. When your condenser floods condenser water flows
back to your process vessel. Then it is practically a mess. You have to start your process all
over again.