Kondenseeraus

Kondenseeraus is a term used in process engineering to denote the discharge of condensed liquid from a gas stream after a cooling or expansion step. It refers to the separation and removal of condensate from the vapor flow so that only dry gas continues downstream. The concept arises in systems where vapor cooling produces liquid water or other condensates that must be drained or returned. In German-language technical literature, kondenseeraus is used to describe this condensate discharge, analogous to condensate drainage in English.

In typical installations, kondenseeraus occurs in condensers, knock-out drums, or separators, followed by a drainage path and trap. The condensate is collected and drained, often through float-, thermostatic-, or orifice-type traps, to prevent re-entrainment or backflow into the process. Efficient kondenseeraus depends on proper sizing, drainage orientation, and the use of demisters or baffles to remove droplets.

Applications span HVAC and building services, steam generation in power plants, chemical processing, and natural gas or LNG dehydration, where condensate removal protects equipment and improves energy efficiency. Proper handling of kondenseeraus also reduces corrosion risk and carries impurities into downstream equipment.

Related terms include condensation, condensate drain, steam trap, and phase separation.