Superheater

Steam generated in the boiler is wet due to contact with water. To get superheated steam, a device known as superheater is used in the boilers. The function of superheater is to super heat the steam up to desired level. It is a surface heat exchanger, located in the path of the flue gas. The wet steam flows inside the tube and hot flue gas is passed over the tubes. The constructional details of a superheater are shown in Figure 4.26.

Figure 4.26 Superheater

Advantages

• Superheater increases the efficiency of prime movers due to supply of steam at high temperature and pressure.
• It minimizes the condensation loss in prime mover.
• It eliminates the problems of erosion and corrosion in turbine blades.
• It increases the capacity of plant.
• It reduces the friction of the steam in steam engine and other steam parts.