A steam trap
is a steam system device which reduces condensation and gasses and retains the
most steam possible. Generally used in heating and ventilation systems, it
functions as an automatic valve that automatically opens and closes. In some situations,
it blocks the flow of steam.
There are
several considerations that you should keep in mind when buying any product. When
a steam system fails to operate properly, alarming losses will be incurred,
especially in cases of large factories. When not given the utmost care and
attention, steam system failure can result to wasted energy and replacement of
damaged equipment.
Because of
the steam and condensate pipe works’ poor design, using the wrong type of trap,
presence of a leaking steam trap, or a combination of these factors, things can
go wrong. It is often useless to install the appropriate trap for an
application if the steam system layout won’t permit it. Similarly, it is
pointless to install the correct layout while neglecting steam trapping.
Dirt is
another major factor that must be reflected on when choosing traps. Although
steam is usually condensed to distilled water, it can sometimes include boiler
feed treatments compound and natural minerals in water. Likewise, pipe dirt
created during installation must also be considered. To prevent further
damages, you should use steam traps,
such as float-thermostatic traps, which are dirt-resistant. However, avoid
using bimetallic traps, inverted bucket traps, impulse traps, and fixed orifice
devices that are not suited to dirty conditions.
People
commonly forget to use strainers to collect and prevent pipe scale and dirt
from affecting control valves and steam
traps, which can reduce heat transfer rates. Strainers are cheap and simple
to put in a pipe, and its installation makes it possible to collect pipe scale
and dirt and reduce maintenance.
As steam traps release condensates to the
atmosphere through open ended pipes, it can be dangerous to people who can
possibly inhale the condensates. The risks can be minimized by reducing the
severity of the discharge by using a simple diffuser. In so doing, it reduces
the intensity of discharge and sound.