STEAM TRAPS

Definition

Steam trap is a type of automatic valve that filters

out condensate (i.e. condensed steam) and noncondensable gases such as air without letting steam
escape.

Why its necessary to install

Steam Traps
If condensate is not drained immediately or
trapped from the system, it reduces
operating efficiency by slowing the heat
transfer process and can cause physical
damage through the phenomenon known as
"Water Hammer"

Function of Steam Traps

The job of the steam trap is to get condensate, air
and Co2 out of the steam heated unit as fast as they
accumulate. In addition, for overall efficiency and
economy, the trap must also have following design
and operating consideration
Minimum steam loss
Long life and dependable service
Corrosion resistance
Air venting
CO2 venting at steam temperature
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Types
Mechanical traps operate by using the difference in density
between steam and condensate. A float within the trap detects
the variance in weight between a gas and a liquid.
Thermostatic traps detect the variation in temperature
between steam and condensate at the same pressure. The
sensing device operates the valve in response to changes in
the condensate temperature and pressure.
Thermodynamic Traps use volumetric and pressure differences
that occur when water changes state into gas. These changes
act upon the valve directly.
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Mechanical Steam Traps

Ball float steam trap
Inverted bucket steam trap

Ball float steam trap

Condensate reaching the trap will
cause the ball float to rise, lifting the
valve off its seat and releasing
condensate
The valve is always flooded and
neither steam nor air will pass through
it
Air vent allows the initial air to pass
whilst the trap is also handling
condensate.
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Inverted bucket steam trap

The mechanism consists of an inverted bucket which is
attached by a lever to a valve
The Method of operation is shown in a figure in next
slide
(i) the bucket hangs down, pulling the valve off its seat
(ii) the arrival of steam causes the bucket to become
buoyant, it then rises and shuts the outlet.
(iii) the trap remains shut until the steam in the bucket
has condensed or bubbled through the vent hole to the
top of the trap body
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Thermostatic Steam Traps

Liquid expansion steam trap
Balanced pressure steam trap

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Liquid expansion steam trap

An oil filled element expands when heated to close the

valve against the seat
The adjustment allows the temperature of the trap
discharge to be altered between 60C and 100C
This makes it ideally suited as a device to get rid of large
quantities of air and cold condensate at start-up

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Balanced Pressure Steam

Trap
The operating element is a capsule containing a
special liquid and water mixture with a boiling
point below that of water
In the cold conditions that exist at start-up, the
capsule is relaxed. The valve is off its seat and is
wide open, allowing unrestricted removal of air.
This is a feature of all balanced pressure traps and
explains why they are well suited to air venting
The vapour pressure within the capsule causes it to
expand and the valve shuts
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Balance Pressure Steam

Traps

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Thermodynamic Steam
Traps
Disc trap
Impulse trap
Orifice trap

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Disc Thermodynamic Steam

Traps
The trap operates by means of the dynamic effect of flash
steam as it passes through the trap
On start-up, incoming pressure raises the disc, and cool
condensate plus air is immediately discharged from the inner
ring, under the disc
Hot condensate flowing through the inlet passage into the
chamber under the disc drops in pressure and releases flash
steam moving at high velocity. This high velocity creates a low
pressure area under the disc, drawing it towards its seat
The flash steam pressure builds up inside the chamber above
the disc, forcing it down against the incoming condensate
until it seats on the inner and15outer rings

Disc Thermodynamic Steam

Traps

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Impulse steam trap

The impulse trap (as shown in Figure)
consists of a
hollow piston (A) with a piston disc
(B) working inside a tapered piston (C)
which acts as a guide. At 'start-up' the
main valve (D) rests on the seat (E)
leaving a passage of flow through the
clearance between piston and cylinder
and hole (F) at the top of the piston.
Increasing flow of air and condensate will
act on the piston disc and lift the main
valve off its seat to give increased flow.
Some condensate will also flow through
the gap between the piston and disc,
through E and away to the trap outlet
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Impulse steam trap

As the temperature of the condensate approaches
its boiling point some of it flashes to steam as it
passes through the gap
Although this is bled away through hole F it does
create an intermediate pressure over the piston,
which effectively positions the main valve to meet
the load
When the temperature of the condensate entering
the trap drops slightly, condensate enters
chamber B without flashing into steam
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Orifice Steam Traps

These are devices containing a hole of predetermined
diameter to allow a calculated amount of condensate to
flow under specific pressure conditions
They dont have any moving pats
In case of a small orifice, the condensate flows with much
lower velocity through the opening, the much denser
condensate will stop the steam. The consequence of this
is, no fresh steam will leak through the trap

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Orifice Steam Traps

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Comparison
Mechanical
continuous operation
no action at no load,
continuous at full load
good energy conservation
good resistance to wear
good corrosion resistance
excellent ability to vent air
at very low pressure
excellent operation against
back pressure
poor resistance to damage
from freezing
fair ability to purge system
excellent performance on
very light loads
poor ability to handle dirt
large comparative physical
size
closed at mechanical failure

Thermostatic
intermittent operation
fair energy conservation
fair resistance to wear
good corrosion

resistance
good abilities at low
pressures
excellent operation
against back pressure
good resistance to
damage from freezing
excellent ability to
handle start-up
fair ability to handle dirt
small comparative size
open or closed at
mechanical 21
failure
(depending on design)

Thermodynamic
intermittent operation
poor energy

conservation
poor resistance to wear
excellent corrosion
resistance
poor abilities at low
pressures
poor operation against
back pressure
good resistance to
damage from freezing
excellent ability to purge
system
poor ability to handle dirt
poor ability to handle
flash steam
open at mechanical
failure