How Does A Steam Trap Work?

The 19th century industrial revolution introduced the use of steam as a means of generating energy, performing work and heating industrial process systems. Today, in factories and industrial and commercial plants, as well as in the marine industry, steam is still widely used as a source of energy for heating, processing and energy production.

Condensate drains are used when there is a steam system to evacuate the condensate, ie the liquid that accumulates in the pipes, as well as other non-condensable gases, to relieve the pressure in the condensate drains. the pipes and regulate the steam flow inside. To do this, steam traps are placed at regular intervals along the pipes. But what exactly is a steam trap and how does it work?

What is a steam trap?

The Industrial Steam Trap is a valve designed to determine the difference between steam and condensate and to remove condensate from the line. Condensate drains only allow the formation of condensation and gas and the “capture” of steam to provide heat and energy. Too much condensation will cause an increase in pressure, causing knocks inside the pipe, blown joints, work stoppages, etc. A properly functioning condensate trap removes condensed and non-condensable gases without loss of live steam.

CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM TRAYS

Depending on the methods used in the steam trap to separate steam and condensate, the steam traps can be divided into 4 different types:

1. mechanic
2. temperature
3. thermodynamic
4. Venturi nozzle

Mechanical steam traps

Mechanical traps operate by gravity. In particular, the difference between the water and the steam causes the uprising and the immersion of the floating stainless steel ball into the trap, which opens and closes the valve. The stainless steel floats inside the condensate traps are ideal for regulating the highest pressure and, therefore, high temperatures in water or aggressive liquids. Its high strength and non-corrosive properties make stainless steel the choice of an extremely versatile and durable float. The movement of the float depends on the flow of condensate. The advantage of mechanical condensing traps over other types of steam traps is their exact response to condensate flow without affecting its performance by most external factors.

There are two variants of a mechanical trap: a floating trap and an inverted bucket. The floating trap uses a sealed oblong float, while an inverted floating cylindrical bucket is used in the trap with an inverted bucket. Although everyone operates differently, buoyancy is a basic operation for everyone.

Temperature condensation traps

Thermal condensate separators are distinguished from mechanical condensate separators in that their design requires that they retain a certain amount of condensate because they have to wait for sufficient cooling to open the valve. The valve is actuated and removed from the seat due to expansion or contraction of the temperature. In exceptional circumstances, it is undesirable if it is necessary to remove condensation immediately after formation. However, in trace lines, for example, to save energy and reduce CO2 emissions, it is generally recognized that condensate must be removed at 40 ° C (104 ° F) below saturation temperature. . This practice is only possible with the use of temperature controlled traps.

Thermodynamic steam traps

The thermodynamic traps are reliable with a simple operating mode. It is used where the vapor of evaporation must pass through a trap. The thermodynamic traps are used for high pressure and superheated steam and are not subjected to hydraulic vibrations or shocks. These traps tend to release a large amount of air at startup if the inlet pressure increases slowly and will not work positively with reduced pressure drops, because the flow through the underside of the disc is not enough to the lower pressure.

Venturi Steam Traps

Venturi condensate traps continuously remove condensate from the steam system. This allows any condensate in the steam line to pass to the condensate return system as it is formed. The work of the trap is based on the difference in density between water and steam. It is designed to work with different steam loads, so it goes into a nozzle.

Which type is the best?

Plant engineers know the success or failure to choose the right steam trap can result in damage to the system, downtime, energy loss and thus, money. Of the four types, the stainless steel float of mechanical steam trap is the first choice for applications where the rate of heat transfer is high for the area of heating surface available.

It can handle heavy or light condensate loads equally well and is not affected by wide and sudden fluctuations of pressure or the flow rate. By discharging condensate at steam temperatures, these devices ensure efficient drainage of process equipment. It is also resistant to water hammering, and has a large capacity for its size.