Reboilers

Question:

            Our steam supply is contaminated with non-condensibles (maybe CO₂?). We opened the vent on the top of the channel head to purge out the non-condensibles which we think are reducing steam condensation rates and our reboiler duty. This did not help. What do you suggest?

Answer:

            The non-condensibles will not accumulate in the top of the channel. They accumulate below the bottom pass partition baffle in the channel head. That is, the portion of the channel head that must be vented. Opening the vent on top of the channel head will vent out steam, not the non-condensible CO₂.