The thermal conductivity of air is 0.025 W/m °C, while the corresponding figure for water is typically 0.

6 W/m
°C, for iron it is about 75 W/m °C and for copper about 390 W/m °C. A film of air only 1 mm thick offers about
the same resistance to heat flow as a wall of copper some 15 metres thick!

Fig.
11.12.1 Effect of air on heat transfer
It is unlikely that the air exists as an even film inside the heat exchanger. More probably, the concentration of
air is higher close to the condensing surface, and lower further away. It is convenient however, to deal with it
as an homogenous layer when trying to show its resistance to heat flow.

When air is added to steam, the heat content of a given volume of the mixture is lower than the same volume
of pure steam, so the mix temperature is lowered.

Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures states that; 'In a mixture of steam and air, the total pressure is the sum of the
partial pressure each gas would exert, when occupying the total volume on its own'.

For example, if the total pressure of a steam / air mixture at 2 bar (absolute) is made up of 3 parts steam to 1
part air by volume, then:

Partial pressure of air = ¼ x 2 bar a = 0.5 bar a

Partial pressure of steam = ¾ x 2 bar a = 1.5 bar a
Total pressure of mixture = 0.5 + 1.5 bar a = 2 bar a (1 bar g)
The pressure gauge would indicate a pressure of 1 bar g, inferring a corresponding temperature of 120°C to
the observer. However, the partial pressure due to the amount of steam present in the mixture is only 0.5 bar g
(1.5 bar a), contributing a temperature of only 111.6°C. Hence, the presence of air has a double effect:

 It offers a resistance to heat transfer via its layering effect,</< li>

 It reduces the temperature of the steam space thus reducing the temperature gradient across the heat
transfer surface.

The overall effect is to reduce the heat transfer rate below that which may be required by a critical process,
and in worst cases may even prevent a final required process temperature being reached.

In many processes, a minimum temperature is needed to achieve a chemical or physical change in a product,
just as a minimum temperature is essential in a steriliser. The presence of air is particularly problematic
because it will cause a pressure gauge to mislead. It follows that the temperature cannot be inferred from the
pressure.
 Fig.
11.12.2 Effect of air on steam temperature

The air vent location

When a coil or a vessel has a relatively small cross-section, the steam admitted to it will act like a piston,
pushing the air to a point remote from the steam inlet. This 'remote point' is usually the best location for the air
vent. In the case of a steam user of the shape shown in Figure 11.12.6, some of the air will pass through the
condensate outlet, according to the provision made in the trap, or in a bypass, for handling air. The rest of the
air might collect as indicated, forming a cold spot on the heating surface. The unit cannot warm up evenly, and
distortion may be caused in some equipment, such as the beds of laundry ironers.

F
ig. 11.12.6 Air vent located opposite the steam inlet on the jacketed pan
As an air/steam mixture is denser than pure steam at the same pressure, it is usually sufficient to provide air
venting capability within the low-lying steam trap. However, the mode of operation of the trap means that
condensate forms a water seal at the trap inlet sometimes preventing air from reaching the trap. There may be
the need to consider an automatic air vent connected to the steam space above the level of any condensate.
Often it is convenient and sufficiently effective to connect it to the top of the steam space, as in Figure 11.12.6.

However, in the case of two steam spaces of the same size and shape but with different steam inlet positions,
the location of the air vent could be different. In Figure 11.12.7 and Figure 11.12.8, condensate drains from the
bottom of the vessel but with the bottom steam inlet, at start-up, air would tend to be pushed to the remote
point which is at the top. It may be best to locate an air vent at the top whilst a float-thermostatic steam trap will
handle any residual air which has collected at the bottom of the vessel.
 Fig. 11.12.7 Air vent located opposite low
level steam inlet

Fig. 11.12.8 Air vent (in steam trap)

located opposite high level steam inlet

With top steam entry, the air will tend to be pushed to the bottom at start-up, and provision should be made for
venting it at low level. Usually, a trap with a high air venting capability such as a float-thermostatic trap will do
the job. However, in practice, to ensure complete removal of air during running conditions, a separate air vent
fitted at the top of the vessel (as shown in Figure 11.12.8) may again often prove beneficial, especially on
irregularly shaped vessels.