Local regulations may restrict the use of this product to below the conditions quoted.

In the interests of development and improvement of the product, we reserve the right to change the specification without notice. Copyright 2014

TI-P451-01

CH Issue 1

VAD
Variable Area Desuperheaters
Desuperheater overview

Steam used in process plants can be superheated, that is, heated to a temperature above
saturation. The excess of temperature above its saturation is called 'superheat'.
Desuperheated steam is more efficient in the transfer of thermal energy, consequently
desuperheaters are used to bring the outlet steam temperature closer to that of saturation
for the steam pressure.
Desuperheaters reduce the temperature of superheated process steam by introducing
finely atomised cooling water droplets into the steam flow. As the droplets evaporate,
sensible heat from the superheated steam is converted into latent heat of vaporisation.
A typical desuperheater installation is shown below:
1st stop valve
Required to isolate the system from inlet water.

Required with 100 mesh screen to maintain the water supply in a
Strainer

condition that wont block the desuperheater nozzles.


Check valve

2nd stop valve

Required to prevent steam from flowing back into the water inlet The prefered selection would be an LCV lift check valve as it will give
optimum performance in this application.
Required to isolate the system for maintenance.

TN2000
series
actuator

Strainer
Check
valve

Water

PN9000
series
actuator

VAD
VAD

1st
Stop valve

2nd
Stop valve

VAD in conjunction with a

PN9000 series actuator

VAD in conjunction with a

TN2000 series actuator

VAD a : 30 mm travel Kv 0.1 to Kv 1.4

VAD b : 70 mm travel for

applications that require a
higher Kv of between:
Kv 1.8 to Kv 4.0

Temperature sensor
Position of nozzles
Steam
flow

5m
A typical installation illustrating a VAD variable area desuperheater in conjunction with a PN9000 series actuator
Page 1 of 6

General description

Spirax Sarco VAD variable area desuperheaters reduce the temperature of superheated steam by spraying atomised water through a
variable area nozzle, producing near-saturated steam for a wide steam turndown ratio (max 50:1). There are two VAD options available
depending on the Kv value and control rangeability required for the application.

VAD a

in conjunction with a PN9000 series actuator

30 mm travel Kv 0.1 to Kv 1.4

VAD b

in conjunction with a TN2000 series actuator

70 mm travel Kv 1.8 to Kv 4.0

Description

The VAD a variable area desuperheater has been designed to

perform between a Kv of 0.1 to Kv 1.4
The main advantages of the Spirax Sarco VAD is its full modularity,
as the components can be adjusted to meet each individual
application needs; on site if needed. The nozzle can also be
replaced to accommodate a change in flow requirement. The cooling
water is atomised through a number of nozzles which are
successively opened by the linear movement of a plug controlled
by the actuator.
As standard, it is designed to be used in conjunction with PN9000
Series actuator 30 mm travel.
The steam line connection is DN80 as standard, but could be
customised at the required dimension.
The water connection is DN15 as standard, but could be
customised.
The standard dimensional lengths of the top and bottom pipe
extensions of the desuperheater, as well as the position of the water
connection are shown on page 5, but please note that theses can
be customised to meet any specific application to meet your needs.

TI-P451-01 CH Issue 1

Description

As standard, the VAD b is designed to be used in conjunction

with TN2000 Series actuator. The water atomisation is done
through up to 18 nozzles which are successively opened with the
linear move of the plug.
The steam line connection is DN80 as standard, but could be
customised at the required dimension.
The water connection is DN15 as standard, but could be
customised or increased for a higher Kv than 4.
The standard dimensional lengths of the top and bottom pipe
extensions of the desuperheater, as well as the position of the water
connection are shown on page 5, but please note that theses can
be customised to meet any specific application to meet your needs.

VAD Variable Area Desuperheaters

Page 2 of 6

Typical applications:
- To reduce the temperature of steam discharged from turbine
by-pass systems on power plants for heat exchangers, dump
stations etc.

- To improve heat transfer of indirect contact heat exchangers shell and tube , plate type, reactor heating jackets etc.

- To

reduce the temperature of steam on direct contact

applications - food cooking kettles, in-line steam heaters,
tobacco drying plant and paper mills.

Features:
- Low cost simple, robust design.
- Minimal steam pressure drop.
- Flexible design options.
12

Standards and approvals

Spirax Sarco desuperheaters are available built to ASME B 16.34
design code. Also available are ASME VIII Division 1.
This product fully complies with the requirements of the European
Pressure Equipment Directive 97 / 23 / EC and carries the CE mark
when so required.
Welding is in accordance with ASME IX.
Connections (EN 1092 or ASME B16.5) are sized to suit the
process conditions.
Standard ASTM materials of construction include: Carbon steel,
Stainless steel, Chrome molybdenum steel etc.,

11
10
15
8

Certification
The following certificates / documents can be supplied at an
additional cost:

- Material

certificates to EN 10204 3.1 with a corresponding

material location diagram.

- NDT reports.

Material
No. Part

Material

Nozzle

Stainless steel

AISI 431

Seat

Stainless steel

AISI 431

Plug

Stainless steel

AISI 316 +
Stellite Grade 6

Lock-nut

Stainless steel

Stem

Stainless steel

AISI 431

Bottom pipe
extension

Carbon steel

4
3

Main steam flange Carbon steel

ASTM A105N

Water flange

Carbon steel

ASTM A105N

Top pipe extension Carbon steel

ASTM A105N

10

Packing

Graphite

11

Packing bolting

Stainless steel

12

Nut

Stainless steel

13

Setting nut

Stainless steel

14

Seat gasket

Graphite

15

Stem bearing

Stellite Grade 6

14
13

2
1

Please note:
The parts identified in the illustration above
are exactly the same for both the
VAD a and the VAD b

Alternative material: Depending of the condition of use, Spirax

Sarco can could change the carbon steel body material to alloy
steel or stainless steel.

TI-P451-01 CH Issue 1

VAD Variable Area Desuperheaters

Page 3 of 6

Pressure / temperature limits:

The Spirax Sarco VAD variable area desuperheater has a carbon steel body as standard but could be produced in any material grade to
special order.
'4' denotes a carbon steel desuperheater
'6' denotes an austenitic stainless steel desuperheater
'8' denotes an alloy steel desuperheater
Please note that the pressure and temperature limits for the VAD product range is governed by the flange connection of choice:

VAD4

VAD6 (316)

VAD8 (A182 F11 Cl.2)

TI-P451-01 CH Issue 1

Flanges

PMA
bar g @ C

TMA
C @ bar g

ASME 150

19.6 @ 38C

425C @ 5.5

ASME 300

51.5 @ 38C

425C @ 28.8

ASME 600

102.1 @ 38C

425C @ 57.5

ASME 900

153.2 @ 38C

425C @ 86.3

ASME 1500

255.3 @ 38C

425C @ 143.8

ASME 2500

425.5 @ 38C

425C @ 239.7

PN40

40.0 @ 50C

400C @ 23.8

PN63

63.0 @ 50C

400C @ 37.5

PN100

100.0 @ 50C

400C @ 59.5

PN160

160.0 @ 50C

400C @ 95.2

PN250

250.0 @ 50C

400C @ 148.8

PN320

320.0 @ 50C

400C @ 190.4

PN400

400.0 @ 50C

400C @ 238.0

ASME 150

19.0 @ 38C

538C @ 1.4

ASME 300

49.6 @ 38C

538C @ 25.2

ASME 600

99.3 @ 38C

538C @ 50.0

ASME 900

148.9 @ 38C

538C @ 75.2

ASME 1500

248.2 @ 38C

538C @ 125.5

ASME 2500

413.7 @ 38C

538C @ 208.9

PN40

40.0 @ 100C

580C @ 25.0

PN63

63.0 @ 100C

580C @ 39.5

PN100

100.0 @ 100C

580C @ 62.7

PN160

160.0 @ 100C

580C @ 100.3

PN250

250.0 @ 100C

580C @ 156.7

PN320

320.0 @ 100C

580C @ 200.6

PN400

400.0 @ 100C

580C @ 250.8

ASME 150

19.8 @ 38C

538C @ 1.4

ASME 300

51.7 @ 38C

538C @ 14.9

ASME 600

103.4 @ 50C

538C @ 29.8

ASME 900

155.1 @ 50C

538C @ 44.7

ASME 1500

258.6 @ 50C

538C @ 74.5

ASME 2500

430.9 @ 50C

538C @ 124.1

PN40

40.0 @ 300C

490C @ 27.2

PN63

63.0 @ 300C

490C @ 42.8

PN100

100.0 @ 300C

490C @ 68.0

PN160

160.0 @ 300C

490C @ 108.8

PN250

250.0 @ 300C

490C @ 170.0

PN320

320.0 @ 300C

490C @ 217.6

PN400

400.0 @ 300C

490C @ 272.0

VAD Variable Area Desuperheaters

Page 4 of 6

Dimensions/weights (approximate) in mm and kg

Dimension not shown

are identical to VAD a

889

332

80
281
158

332

VAD a

352

372

412

VAD b

33.5
60

Safety information, installation and maintainance

For full details see the Installation and Maintenance Instructions that are supplied with the product.
Installation note:
Desuperheaters may be installed either horizontally or vertically with the steam flowing upwards.
Spirax Sarco strongly advises against installations in which the steam flow is vertically downwards.
In the case of a horizontal installation the cooling water connection (and the atomising steam connection on a steam atomising desuperheater)
should ideally point downstream, as this gives the best orientation for drainage of fluids in a shutdown situation. Other orientations are
acceptable for satisfactory operation, but drainage is not as effective.
In a vertical installation we recommend that, the cooling water pipework (and atomising steam pipework, if applicable) should be brought
to the desuperheater from below the corresponding connections on the desuperheater. This will provide the best layout for drainage of
fluids on shutdown.

VAD
+
PN9000 series actuator

Temperature sensor
Installation must be a
minimum of 12 metres
after the VAD variable
area desuperheater

Position of nozzles
Steam
flow

5m

The temperature sensor should be located a minimum distance of 12 metres after the VAD, however for optimum temperature control
it is recommended that it be installed at the point of use.
A minimum length of 5 metres should be present before a pipe elbow. A thermal sleeve is recommended to protect the elbow from
corrosion and erosion.
The steam pipeline should be of at least DN100. From DN100 to DN250 a thermal sleeve is recommended on the straight line after
the desuperheater.
Water must be supplied with more than 5 bar differential pressure to the steam.
Disposal
The product is recyclable. No ecological hazard is anticipated with disposal of this product, providing due care is taken.

TI-P451-01 CH Issue 1

VAD Variable Area Desuperheaters

Page 5 of 6

How to order

Please send the following process data to Spirax Sarco so that we can select the optimum solution for your application.

Minimum information required to size the desuperheater:

- Maximum and minimum superheated steam condition (Pressure, temperature and flowrate).
- Required outlet steam condition.
- Available water condition (Pressure and temperature).
Process data
Superheated
steam

Range

Temperature C

Pressure bar g

Flowrate kg/h

Minimum

condition before the

desuperheater

Maximum

Required

Minimum

condition

Maximum

Available

Minimum

condition

Maximum

Steam outlet

Water

Further information, that if supplied, will help in selecting the optimal solution for your application:

Design pressure
Design temperature
Superheated steam size
Required flanged desuperheaters flange
Required flanged water flange

Kv table
Desuperheater
Travel
Rangeability
Maximum turndown

Kv standard

VAD a

VAD b

30 mm

70 mm

1:20

1:40

50:1

50:1

1.40

4.0

1.00

3.7

0.60

3.3

0.54

2.9

0.45

2.5

0.40

2.1

0.20

1.8

0.10

TI-P451-01 CH Issue 1

VAD Variable Area Desuperheaters

Page 6 of 6