Choosing the Wrong Condensate Recovery System Could Cost You - Here's Why!

What is an electric condensate recovery system?

The electric condensate recovery system is a motorized pump that transfers condensate back to the boiler or other customer-specified location. It usually requires an electric motor to drive the pump to run, which means that the electric condensate recovery device requires an external power source.

Regarding control modes, electric condensate recovery systems are usually equipped with an automatic control system that automatically starts and stops the pump based on liquid level or pressure.

Maintenance costs are low, with only the motor part requiring regular inspections

What are the features of electric condensate recovery system?

1. Energy Saving and High Efficiency

Since the pump is directly driven by the motor, the efficiency of converting electric energy into mechanical energy is usually 85%~95%, so the energy conversion efficiency is high. Secondly, the water pump driven by electricity can deliver a larger flow rate of water with less energy, which is suitable for long time stable operation. Third, because it is frequency control, it can adjust the pump power according to the demand, reduce ineffective energy consumption.

2. Lower Running Costs

In terms of the cost of electricity, the cost of industrial electricity is low and the consumption of electricity is low. For maintenance, the electric condensate recovery device runs stably for a long time, and mainly maintains the motor and pump. The use of frequency control can adjust the flow rate according to the demand to avoid excessive consumption.

3. High Transmission Capacity

• It can be controlled automatically according to the liquid level and run continuously.

• The flow rate of water pump is stable and efficient recovery of condensate is ensured.

• It is more suitable for condensate recovery with large flow rate and high head.

4. High Level of Automation

Full automatic control, or can be equipped with PLC control to realize intelligent operation.

5. Large Application Scope

Electric condensate recovery device is suitable for various industrial environments, especially for long time, long distance and high flow rate transportation, such as food processing, chemical plants, boiler rooms, etc. It is suitable for long distance and high flow rate transportation. Avoid condensate retention in the pipeline and reduce heat loss.

Disadvantages:

? Dependence on power supply: limited use in unpowered environments or places with unstable power supply.

? Higher initial cost: equipment cost may be higher than pneumatic ones

What is a pneumatic condensate recovery system?

Pneumatic condensate recovery devices use compressed air or steam pressure to push condensate to the recovery system. It does not have a motor and relies mainly on air or steam as a power source.

For control methods, it mainly relies on mechanical methods such as floats and pressure controllers to operate automatically.

Mechanical parts such as internal valves and floats need to be replaced and overhauled regularly.

What are the features of pneumatic condensate recovery device?

1. No Need for Power Supply

Suitable for use in non-electric or explosion-proof occasions, such as chemical, oil and gas industries.

2. High Temperature and Corrosion Resistance

Simple structure, no special parts that need to be sealed, stronger corrosion resistance than electric condensate recovery device. Suitable for handling high temperature condensate (150-250°).

Disadvantages:

? Low Conveying Efficiency

Pneumatic condensate recovery systems operate intermittently. Each time it needs to accumulate condensate before discharging, it is prone to hysteresis effect, which affects the efficiency of the system.

? High Requirements for Air Source

It requires a stable supply of compressed air or steam, otherwise performance is affected.

? Higher Operating Costs

First, using compressed air or steam as a power source, the energy conversion efficiency is usually less than 50% because compressed air/steam is subject to leakage and heat loss during delivery.

Second, compressed air is expensive to produce. Typically 1m³ of compressed air costs 6 to 8 times more than the equivalent cost of electricity.

In general, electric condensate recovery systems are more suitable for most industrial applications, are energy efficient and have lower running costs. On the other hand, pneumatic units are suitable for unpowered, explosion-proof environments, but have higher operating costs and are not suitable for large-scale use.