Book on steam surface condensers to be published by ASME Press

ASME Press is about to publish "Steam Surface Condensers: Basic Principles, Performance Monitoring and Maintenance," by Richard E. Putnam. The book is a comprehensive presentation of analytical theory and real-world practical solutions. It illustrates updated approaches that plant managers and performance engineers can use in judging condenser performance and in making maintenance decisions.

The author examines current methods for modeling, diagnosing and improving condenser performance. He describes how to calculate heat transfer coefficients, provides details of the new ASME Power Test Code PTC.12.2-1998, and explains the significance of heat transfer coefficients in measuring the overall performance of an operating condenser.

Further discussion includes condenser cleaning schedules that save money and reduce CO₂ emissions, diagnostic methods that help unit operators pinpoint problem areas, monitoring techniques that help predict the onset of tube fouling and deposit accumulation, and proper methods of tube plugging.

Relatively new topic areas are also explored, including assigning a dollar amount and excess carbon emissions to condenser fouling, methods for estimating cooling water flow rate, and performance analysis for multicompartment condensers.

The 284-page hardcover is listed at $95 a copy, but ASME members can get theirs for only $76.

The book (order No. 801519) may be obtained by calling (800) 843-2763 or (973) 882-1167, or by going to www.asme.org/pubs/ asmepress/index.html.

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