POWER SYSTEMS: STEAM JET AIR

EJECTORS (SJAE)
 Turbine Bypass Desuperheating Systems
General: The attached figures illustrate the two types of Steam Jet
Air Ejector (SJAE) systems used in the industry to remove non-
condensables and water vapor from main condensers. These power
systems have found wide acceptance in modern plants because of
the small space requirements, simplicity, reliability, low
maintenance and quick starting characteristics.
Fig. 1 shows the intercondenser and aftercondenser
combined in a single shell. The
intercondenser compartment is
separated from the aftercondenser
compartment by means of a
common tubesheet. Special care
is taken in the design and fabrication to
prevent leakage between the intercondenser
and aftercondenser compartments.
This design has two first stage and two second stage ejectors. The
two first stages as well as the two second stages operate in parallel.
The advantage of flexibility is apparent as 100 pct or 200 pct air
handling capacities can be obtained, provided the condensers are
properly designed.

In operation, it is usually necessary to operate only the first and

second stage; the others jets are held in reserve. Block or Isolation
valves between the second stages and the intercondenser are
necessary to prevent short circuiting of air and vapor from the
aftercondenser to the intercondenser through the standby ejectors.
Also a block or isolation valve is also necessary for the
suction side of each jet.
Fig. 2 shows a stacked design. Here the
intercondenser and aftercondenser are
built separately. Either design will
provide the same performance. The
difference lies in the purchase cost and
installation requirements.

Operation: Air and non-condensible vapors from the main

condenser, enter the first stage ejector suction connection. High
pressure steam enters the steam chest and expands to the suction
pressure through a properly designed steam nozzle. Steam exits
from the nozzle at high velocity, and entrains the air and non-
condensible vapors compressing them to a higher pressure by
means of a converging-diverging throat. The mixture then enters an
intercondenser where the steam is condensed. The intercondenser
compartments are designed with special internal baffles (not shown)
and arranged to allow the air to be cooled to the lowest possible
temperature thereby reducing the volume of the air/vapor mixture
to a minimum before it enters the second stage ejector. The second
stage ejector handles the air/vapor mixture in the same manner as
the first, and the steam/air mixture from the second stage enters an
aftercondenser where the action is similar to that in the
intercondenser. Air exits the discharge vent opening at a low
temperature to reduce the heat loss. The air flow can be measured
by means of a rotameter.
To rapidly reduce the main condenser pressure during start up,
priming ejectors (a.k.a. hoggers) are commonly installed in parallel
with the unit. These ejectors are designed to handle large capacities
for the rapid initial evacuation. Noise levels sometime exceed OSHA
maximum levels, and silencers are often installed to bring noise to
acceptable levels.