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Steam Theory Applications of Different Types of Steam Traps
1. Basics of Steam A steam trap's most important job is to
Contents:
quickly discharge condensate that has
2. Steam Heating formed in steam distribution lines, steam 1. Three Categories of Steam Trap Based
tracers, and in steam-using equipment. A
3. Basics of Steam Traps on Operation Principles
steam trap must also be able to save
a. Mechanical Steam Traps
4. Steam Trap Selection energy by preventing steam leaks and by
b. Thermodynamic Steam Traps
discharging non-condensing gases such
c. Thermostatic Steam Traps
Steam Trap Selection: How as air.
2. Applications of Each Type of Steam
Application Affects Selection
Steam traps are classified into different Trap
Steam Trap Selection: categories based on their construction a. Applications Suited to the Free
Understanding Specifications and operation principles, and there are Float® Type
several different models of steam traps. b. Applications Suited to the Disc-
Steam Trap Selection: Safety Factor Consult the links below to narrow down Type
and Life Cycle Cost your choices and find the steam trap that
c. Applications Suited to the
best suits your purposes.
Traps and Orifices Part 1 Thermostatic Type
1. How Application Affects Selection d. Choosing the right trap for your
Traps and Orifices Part 2 application
2. Understanding Specifications
Casting vs. Forging 3. Safety Factor and Life Cycle Cost
Applications of Different Types of Detailed information on choosing steam
Steam Traps traps is provided on the pages linked above, so those details will be omitted on this page.
This page explains the type of applications that each variety of steam trap is suited for to
Don't Get Steamed : Selecting Steam inform your choice of trap.
Trap Design
Understanding Steam Traps Three Categories of Steam Trap Based on Operation
Principles
Compare Two Fixed Orifice Venturi
Products to a Variable Orifice Free Each model of steam trap has its own characteristics, and differences in traps' operating
Float Steam Trap processes directly relate to whether or not they are suitable for a particular application.
Steam traps can be divided into three different types based on their operating principles:
5. Steam Trap Problems
6. Steam Trap Management Mechanical Steam Traps
Mechanical steam traps (also referred to as “density traps”) include Free Float®, lever
7. Water Hammer
float, and inverted bucket steam traps. Mechanical traps operate by utilizing the
8. Risk Mitigation difference in density between steam (or air) and condensate.
9. Steam Quality
10. Steam Distribution
11. Condensate Recovery
12. Energy Efficiency
13. Compressed Air / Gas
14. Other Valves For more information on how mechanical traps work, consult the following article:
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How Mechanical Traps Work: A Look at their Mechanism and Merits
Free Float® Steam
Traps for Steam Thermodynamic Steam Traps
Mains and Tracer
There are two varieties of thermodynamic steam trap: the thermodynamic disc and
Product Solutions piston types. Thermodynamic steam traps operate by utilizing the difference in kinetic
energy between high velocity steam (a gas) and slower moving condensate (a liquid).
Success Stories
For more information on disc traps, consult the following article:
How Disc Traps Work: A Look at their Mechanism and Merits
Email Magazine
Thermostatic Steam Traps
Discover steam engineering tips in
our bi-monthly newsletter. These include bi-metal, balanced pressure, and expansion thermostatic traps.
Thermostatic traps operate by utilizing the difference in temperature between
Sign up now condensate that is close to steam temperature and sub-cooled condensate (or low
temperature air).
Applications of Each Type of Steam Trap
Applications Suited to the Free Float® Type
Free Float® steam traps are typically the first choice for removal of condensate from
steam-using equipment, steam distribution lines, and high temperature tracing
applications.
A Free Float® steam trap can immediately discharge condensate when it enters the trap
body, thus preventing condensate build-up and reducing the risk of water hammer in the
steam distribution line. These traps increase the operating efficiency of the equipment by
enabling steam to contact all of the heat transfer surface area. Additionally, Free Float®
traps are highly energy-efficient because the valve discharge orifice is covered by a
constant water seal, which prevents steam from leaking out of the trap body.
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In contrast, inverted bucket type traps typically include an internal weep hole to bleed off
steam (or air) continuously and with each cycle. The weep hole is usually small enough
to prevent significant steam loss, but it removes only a limited amount of air, which can
hinder system start-up or heat transfer on equipment. Additionally, the intermittent
action of the inverted bucket trap makes it typically respond slower than the Free Float®,
which operates immediately due to its self-contained buoyancy over water.
Unlike Free Float® steam traps, which are designed for the float ball to rise completely
out of the path of flow through its orifice, lever float traps typically pull their valve head
back from the seat. Flashing condensate passing through the orifice may pull the valve
head towards the seat, reducing the lever float trap’s flow or causing intermittent flow.
For these reasons, the Free Float® is the most advanced design of mechanical steam
trap.
Free Float® and lever float steam traps are the only types of trap that constantly contain
both steam and condensate in the body. Since steam is always present, these models are
suitable for service in freezing conditions, provided that the discharge drains to
atmosphere and that the body does not deform from freezing. Conversely, inverted
bucket traps must maintain a suitable water seal at the bottom of the bucket, and so
these types can be prone to freezing damage.
Applications Suited to the Disc-Type
Disc-type steam traps are compact and suitable for a wide pressure range. They are
commonly used for steam mains drainage or high temperature tracing discharge.
However, Free Float® traps are more energy efficient and durable in the same services,
so typically disc traps are recommended as a second choice in those applications.
However, there are several applications where disc traps are recommended as a first
choice, and one of those is extreme high-pressure steam mains drainage service. Certain
Free Float® traps can be used at high pressure levels of up to 12MPaG, but TLV offers
disc-type models that can be used at a pressure level of up to 26MPaG. For this reason,
disc-type traps are used in severe high pressure conditions, such as with supercritical
steam/condensate service.
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Additionally, facilities where there is a risk of freezing sometimes use disc-type traps.
Those disc traps are installed in a vertical down position, as condensate does not pool
inside the body when installed in this position, thus the trap is unlikely to freeze.
However, this type of installation can shorten disc trap life significantly from increased
cycling.
Note that if a steam trap is at risk of freezing, then the more serious issue is that often
the line itself can freeze too. Facilities that are interested to mitigate freezing damage
must ensure that the lines are drained at shutdown.
Applications Suited to the Thermostatic Type
TLV generally recommends Free Float® steam traps for removing condensate from
steam-using equipment, steam distribution lines, and high temperature tracing. However,
for tracer lines where the product needs to be kept at a lower temperature than the
temperature of steam, bi-metal, expansion type, or specially-filled balanced pressure
thermostatic traps are useful, as these traps can reduce the discharge temperature by
sub-cooling and backing up the condensate into the line preceding the trap.
In tracer lines, correctly located and installed sub-cooling thermostatic steam traps can
transfer all of the available latent heat plus some sensible heat from condensate into the
product. By utilizing this sensible heat, thermostatic traps provide high operational
efficiency and help to conserve energy.
There are some models of balanced pressure thermostatic traps that are used to drain
steam-using equipment, steam mains or high temperature tracing lines, but TLV does not
recommend these applications as a first choice because the other trap types listed above
are more effective in drainage service.
Thermostatic steam traps are also commonly used as air vents in steam systems.
Choosing the right trap for your application
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As this article has shown, the different varieties of steam trap are each suited to different
applications. For more information about choosing the right trap for your needs, consult
the articles listed above or contact a TLV steam specialist:
Contact Us
Don't Get Steamed : Selecting
Casting vs. Forging
Steam Trap Design
Also on TLV.com
Mechanical Steam Traps
Disc-Type Steam Traps
Thermostatic Steam Traps
Steam Bulletin: Archive - Email Magazine
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