How is continuous drainage of the soot blower piping system achieved?

Continuous drainage of the soot blower piping system is effectively achieved through an internal hole in the bilge drain valve. This design allows for the consistent removal of any condensate or residue that may accumulate within the system. The internal hole facilitates a path for the drainage to occur automatically, ensuring that the soot blower functions efficiently without obstruction from trapped water or debris. This is particularly important in maintaining the operational readiness of the soot blowers, which are critical for keeping heat exchangers and boilers clean by removing soot build-up.

While manual drain valves can be effective for periodic maintenance, they do not ensure continuous drainage. A vacuum system, although useful in some contexts, is not specifically designed for this purpose and does not provide the same level of continuous drainage as the internal hole in the bilge drain valve. Opening the main steam valve primarily focuses on providing steam for the operation of the soot blowers rather than managing drainage. Therefore, the internal hole in the bilge drain valve is the most effective means for achieving continuous drainage in the soot blower piping system.