Why are steam distributing coils less likely to freeze?

Even though steam distributing coils have been nicknamed “non-freeze coils,” this isn’t the case. As some people have unfortunately learned during the deep freezes this year, any coil can freeze.

So what makes steam distributing coils a better choice for colder climates? It has to do with the coil-inside-a-coil construction of steam distributing coils. An inner tube, with holes spaced about 10 inches apart, is inserted down the entire length of an outer tube. Steam flows through the inner tube, and as it turns into condensate along the way, the condensate is released through the holes into the outer tube. Any remaining steam is released at the end of the open inner tube into the outer tube. With nowhere else to go, the pressurized condensate flows through the outer tube to the manifold, the original starting point for the steam.

Steam distributing coils were originally designed to avoid cold spots by evenly distributing the steam and the condensate throughout the length of the coil. It was discovered that steam distributing coils were much less likely to freeze than standard steam coils because the steam traveling down the inner tube kept the condensate traveling in the opposite direction in the outer tube from freezing.

Let Emergent Coils help you select the best steam coil option for your HVAC system by calling 1-855-Coil-Now or emailing us at sales@emergentcoils.com.