The Turbo Air® 3000 Centrifugal Compressor Compressor Handbook

The Turbo Air 3000 Centrifugal Compressor Operator’s Manual
Condensate Drain Piping
During air compressor operation, condensate collects in each intercooler chamber as the air is cooled.
(This is not the case when the compressor is used in dry nitrogen service.) In order to prevent the
condensate from being carried over and entering the next stage of compression, the condensate in
each of the intercooler chambers must be drained into an open drain or trough. The open drain
allows not only visual verification of condensate removal, but it also assures that the condensate will
not be drawn back into the compressor when the compressor is unloaded.
A—22
CAUTION:
Do not manifold the condensate drains. Since the cooler cavities operate at different
pressures, manifolding will cause malfunctions due to excessive amounts of condensate
from higher pressure chambers being forced into lower pressure chambers and consequently
through the compressor.
A variety of control devices can be used in the condensate removal piping system, including:
· Standard gate valves, operated by hand.
· Float traps which are self-actuating.
· Solenoid valves, operated by the Vantage Control System.
Three ½” NPT connections (one for each cooler cavity) are located at the front of the compressor. The
condensate piping and control devices attach to these connections. Figure A—12 illustrate a typical
condensate drain piping arrangement. It is also necessary to include a manual bypass valve and piping
with whichever type of drain control device is utilized. The isolation valves ahead of the control device
are optional.
It is also advisable to keep the condensate draining system open during shutdown to prevent condensate
accumulation in the compressor. This will also provide compressor protection in case of an intercooler
tube failure.
A
B
Figure A—12. Typical Condensate Removal Piping Arrangement
A. Hand Valve
B. Trap or Solenoid Valve