Chances are,
you are not aware how a steam system works in your home, school, office, or in
other establishments. Often unnoticed, steam systems are evidently found in
boilers, space heaters, steaming ovens, dry cleaning machines, and many other
appliances.
Steam systems
consist of steam traps and safety valves to protect life and property by
preventing excessive overpressure. Furthermore, effective steam systems in
large businesses prevent losses, such as wasted energy and replacement of
damaged equipment, which are equivalent to hundreds and thousands of dollars.
Simply put,
steam traps are steam system devices used to decrease condensation and gasses
while maintaining the most steam possible. Many steam straps usually serve as
automatic valves that open and close automatically, while others simply hinder
the flow of steam. These are used in steam systems, like heating and ventilation
systems. With the multiplicity of steam systems available in the market for
household and commercial purposes, a need for different kinds of steam traps
arises. The three primary categories of steam traps are mechanical,
thermostatic, and thermodynamic.
A mechanical steam trap operates by relying on the
difference in density between steam and condensate. It can continuously pass
large condensate volumes and is appropriate for a broad range of process
applications. Mechanical traps function in direct relationship to condensate
levels present in steam traps. The most popular examples of this kind of trap
are inverted bucket and ball float traps.
On the other
hand, a thermostatic steam trap works
depending on the surrounding steam temperature. It adjusts automatically to
changes in steam pressure, but may be damaged in the presence of a water hammer.
When this happens, thermostatic traps can fail to open, preventing adequate closing.
Three of the most popular thermostatic traps are liquid expansion traps, bimetallic,
and balanced pressure thermostatic traps. Each type has distinct
characteristics to suit specific applications.
Finally, a thermodynamic steam trap follows a unique operating
principle and relies on water and flash steam dynamics. It is simple, strong, consistent,
and can function even during very high temperatures and pressures. It is considered
as a good trap of general type.