Is my air ejector condenser causing vacuum issues?

[Brakwa]

Having trouble at a plant where the vacuum has increased to the point where a pump has been put on the end of the air ejector condenser to maintain vacuum, without it the limits would be too high and trip the Steam Turbine. The question is, does the air ejector condenser continuously drain? Could there be too much water in the air ejector condenser causing vacuum problems? There have been complications with the drain trap, (ball float trap), but it has been cleaned, replaced and has been in service for over a year. The pipe coming from the drain is always hot and does not seem to ever stop flow, I am unaware if this is how it normally operates. The plant recently started up with no vacuum issues, operating at 3" HgA for 4 to 5 days, and with no change in load increased to 10" HgA. Thank you in advance for any assistance.

 

[jim hardy]

Have you checked your intercondenser loop seal ?http://weh.maritime.edu/campus/tsps/manual/MainAuxCond.html

 

[Brakwa]

Yes sir, the loop seal sight glass is full.