Every project has its own challenges, and sometimes that means thinking outside the box. At John S. Roberts J.H.S., we encountered a special situation where steam coils were installed vertically with a horizontal airflow. This unusual configuration was essential to manage condensate buildup effectively.

Once the steam turns into liquid, it needs to drain out of the system. If it stays inside the coil, it can freeze, expand, and potentially cause the coils to rupture. That’s why proper drainage is so important, especially in systems that don’t always run at full pressure.

One of the key design elements in this setup was angling the return header downward. This helped gravity do the work, ensuring condensate drained naturally. It’s a simple but effective solution for preventing damage over time.

Under full steam pressure, condensate usually gets pushed out naturally. But when the system is running at half load or lower, that pressure isn’t enough. That’s when the pitched header becomes crucial for proper drainage.

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