3.4 Provide headers within the steam distribution system
A steam distribution header is a manifold where steam from a single / battery of boilers is collected and distributed to different utilisation sections, blocks or equipment.
The objectives of a steam header are:
- To facilitate isolation of the boiler or a section or equipment from a single location
- Act as a buffer to cope with fluctuations in steam demand as the size of the header is greater than the size of the steam lines
- Enable modularity in the design for future expansions; spare nozzles can be provided to allow addition of new boilers, sections or equipment
- To provide space to facilitate effective separation of air and condensate from steam
The following accessories should be installed on the header:
- Air vent
- Drain trap
- Pressure and temperature gauge
- Safety valve