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Tech Tip - Check Valve Leaks
How do I know my product discharge and condensate check valves are good and holding vacuum?
In most systems all the condensate is collected in a main line and can be diverted back to the balance tank and or drain. So, when the system is placed under vacuum with no steam applied and condensate pumps not running, pump your hand over this condensate discharge line and feel if it is sucking your hand in. If so, one of the check valves is leaking. If you close the ball valves after each check valve and open them one at a time you can determine which one is leaking. A second method requires having condensate sight glasses at each effect and the condenser. If there is some condensate left in the line, close the ball valve after the check valve and observe a water filled sight glass with no bubbles. Open the ball valve and if bubbles appear in the sight glass you have verified a leak exists.
How do I how my finished product check valve is good and holding vacuum?
Use the same procedure as stated above, no steam no pumps running except the vacuum pump. Divert the finished product to discharge to the balance tank or darin. Put your hand over the discharge pipe and feel for vacuum. You can also look into the last effects separator and see if bubble rise from the discharge leg. To verify it is indeed a check valve leak close the ball valve after the product check valve and see if the bubbling stops.
