Condensate removal device
View Patent ↗An orifice condensate trap (i.e. a condensate removal device ( 10 ) having a condensate drainage channel ( 26 ) with a constricted passage ( 30 ) therein) in which a magnet ( 50 ) is disposed upstream of the orifice to capture impurities, e.g. magnetic particles, suspended or otherwise carried in the condensable gas or condensate. The magnet may be used in tandem with a mechanical filter, e.g. strainer. The magnet may be formed as part of a cap or plug ( 48 ) for closing an access opening ( 36 ) opposite to an upstream opening of the constricted passage ( 30 ). For example, the plug ( 48 ) may be formed of magnetic material, e.g. a magnetic variant of stainless steel.
1. An orifice condensate removal device for mounting in a pipeline, the device comprising:
an inlet connectable to the pipeline to receive a condensable gas flow;
an outlet connectable to the pipeline downstream of the inlet;
a condensate drainage channel providing fluid communication between the inlet and outlet, which includes a constricted passage that is occludable by condensate flow therethrough to restrict condensable gas flow therethrough;
a debris filter disposed between the inlet and the constricted passage; and
a magnet disposed between the inlet and the constricted passage;
wherein the debris filter is disposed upstream of the magnet.
2. An orifice condensate removal device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the magnet comprises a retention surface for retaining thereon magnetic debris attracted by the magnetic field of the magnet, and
the magnet is spaced from the entrance to the constricted passage at a distance whereby the magnetic field strength at the entrance to the constricted passage is less than 20% of the field strength at the retention surface.
3. An orifice condensate removal device according to claim 1 comprising a removable insert mountable between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the removable insert includes the magnet.
4. An orifice condensate removal device according to claim 3 , wherein the removable insert is made from magnetic material.
5. An orifice condensate removal device according to claim 3 , wherein the magnet comprises a magnetic variant of stainless steel.
6. An orifice condensate removal device according to claim 3 , wherein the removable insert includes at least part of the condensate drainage channel.
7. An orifice condensate removal device according to claim 3 , wherein the removable insert is a cap for sealing an access opening in the device.
8. An orifice condensate removal device according to claim 1 , wherein the magnet comprises samarium-cobalt alloy.
9. An orifice condensate removal device according to claim 8 , wherein, the magnet is mounted in the device using a high-temperature ceramic glue.
10. An orifice condensate removal device according to claim 1 , wherein the magnetic is a disc magnet and the magnetic axis is co-axial with the upstream end of the constricted passage.
11. An orifice condensate removal device according to claim 10 , wherein the magnet is arranged such that the magnetic flux density at the upstream end of the constricted passage is less than 20% of the surface flux density of the magnet.
12. An orifice condensate removal device according to claim 1 , wherein:
(i) the magnet is an annular ring magnet disposed around the upstream end of the constricted passage; and/or
(ii) several magnets are disposed around the upstream end of the constricted passage such that their poles alternate.
13. An orifice condensate removal device according to claim 1 , wherein the inlet comprises an inlet chamber, the downstream wall of the inlet chamber is profiled to have an upstream-facing apex, and the upstream end of the condensate drainage channel is at the upstream-facing apex.