0670350/1

IM-S03-11
ST Issue 1

HM and HM34
Inverted Bucket Steam Traps
Installation and Maintenance Instructions

1. General
safety information
2. General
product information
HM Series

3. Installation
4. Commissioning
5. Operation
6. Maintenance

HM34 Series

Printed
in the
IM-S03-11
STUK
Issue 1

7. Spare parts

Copyright 2001
1

1. General safety information

Safe operation of these units can only be guaranteed if they are properly installed,
commissioned and maintained by a qualified person (see Section 11 of the attached
Supplementary Safety Information) in compliance with the operating instructions. General
installation and safety instructions for pipeline and plant construction, as well as the
proper use of tools and safety equipment must also be complied with.

Warning
The body / cover gasket and strainer cap gasket contain a thin stainless steel support ring
which may cause physical injury if not handled and disposed of carefully.

Isolation
Consider whether closing isolating valves will put any other part of the system or personnel
at risk. Dangers might include; isolation of vents and protective devices or alarms.
Ensure isolation valves are turned off in a gradual way to avoid system shocks.

Pressure
Before attempting any maintenance consider what is or may have been in the pipeline.
Ensure that any pressure is isolated and safely vented to atmospheric pressure before
attempting to maintain the product, this is easily achieved by fitting Spirax Sarco
depressurisation valves type DV (see separate literature for details). Do not assume
that the system is depressurised even when a pressure gauge indicates zero.

Temperature
Allow time for temperature to normalise after isolation to avoid the danger of burns and
consider whether protective clothing (including safety glasses) is required.

Disposal
These products are recyclable. No ecological hazard is anticipated with the disposal of
these products providing due care is taken.

IM-S03-11 ST Issue 1

2. General product information

2.1 General description
The Spirax Sarco HM Series inverted bucket steam trap is manufactured in cast iron and has an
integral strainer as standard. It is designed to be installed in horizontal pipework and will operate
on steam pressures up to 14 bar g (203 psi g).
The Spirax Sarco HM34 series inverted bucket trap is similar to the HM Series but is manufactured
in carbon steel and will operate on steam pressures up to 32 bar g (464 psi g).
Note: For further information see the following Technical Information Sheets, TI-S03-02 for the
HM Series and TI-P072-01 for the HM34 Series, which gives full details of:- Materials, sizes and
pipe connections, dimensions, weights, operating ranges and capacities.

Fig. 1 HM00 (") and HM10 (")

Fig. 3 HM34 (" and ")

Fig. 2 HM12 (1")

Fig. 4 HM34 (1")

IM-S03-11 ST Issue 1

2.2 Sizes and pipe connections

HM Series
" (HM00), " (HM10) and 1" (HM12) screwed BSP or NPT.
DN15 (HM003), DN20 (HM103) and DN25 (HM123) standard flange BS 4504 and DIN PN16.

HM34 Series
", " and 1" screwed BSP or NPT and socket weld ends BS 3799 Class 3000
DN15, 20 and 25 standard flange BS 4504 PN40.
Flanges also available ANSI 150 and ANSI 300.

2.3 Materials
Trap

HM Series

Cover
Body

" and "

1"

Internals

HM34 Series

Cast iron

Cast steel

Cast iron

Forged steel

Cast iron

Cast steel

Stainless steel

Stainless steel

Note: For further information on materials see the following Technical Information Sheets:
TI-S03-02 for the HM Series and TI-P072-01 for the HM34 Series.

2.4 Limiting conditions

HM

HM34

Maximum body designed conditions

PN16

PN40

PMA - Maximum allowable pressure

16 bar g (232 psi g)

40 bar g (580 psi g)

TMA - Maximum allowable temperature

300C

PMO - Maximum operating pressure

16 bar g (232 psi g)

40 bar g (580 psi g)

TMO - Maximum operating temperature

300C

300C

Designed for a maximum cold

hydraulic test pressure of:

24 bar g (348 psi g)

(572F)
(572F)

300C

(572F)
(572F)

60 bar g (870 psi g)

IM-S03-11 ST Issue 1

2.5 Operating range

Temperature C

HM Series
300
200

Steam
saturation
curve

100
0

10

12

14*

16

Pressure bar g
The product must not be used in this region.
*PMO Maximum operating pressure recommended for saturated steam 14 bar g (203 bar g).
DPMX - Maximum differential pressure

Flanged Screwed

Size

Maximum differential pressure bar

8.5
10
12.5

14

"

HM00/8

HM00/7

HM00/6

"

HM10/10

HM10/8

HM10/7

1"

HM12/12

HM12/10

HM12/7

DN15

HM003/8

HM003/7

HM003/6

DN20

HM103/10

HM103/8

HM103/7

DN25

HM123/12

HM123/10

HM123/7

Note: The pressure limit of the flange type should be greater than the pressure limit of the internal
mechanism selected.

Temperature C

HM34 Series
300
200
Steam
saturation
curve

100
0

10

20

30 32*
40
Pressure bar g

The product must not be used in this region.

*PMO Maximum operating pressure recommended for saturated steam 32 bar g (464 bar g).
DPMX - Maximum differential pressure
Size

Maximum differential pressure bar

8.5
12
20

32

DN15 - "

HM34/8

HM34/7

HM34/6

HM34/5

HM34/4

DN20 - "

HM34/10

HM34/8

HM34/7

HM34/6

HM34/5

DN25 - 1"

HM34/12

HM34/10

HM34/8

HM34/6

HM34/5

Note: The pressure limit of the flange type should be greater than the pressure limit of the internal
mechanism selected.
IM-S03-11 ST Issue 1

3. Installation
Note: Before actioning any installation observe the 'Safety information' in Section 1.
Referring to the Installation and Maintenance Instructions, name-plate and Technical Information
Sheet, check that the product is suitable for the intended installation.

3.1

Check materials, pressure and temperature and their maximum values. If the maximum
operating limit of the product is lower than that of the system in which it is being fitted,
ensure that a safety device is included in the system to prevent overpressurisation.

3.2

Determine the correct installation situation and the direction of fluid flow.

3.3

Remove protective covers from all connections.

3.4

The trap must be installed with the body upright so that the bucket is rising and falling
vertically. When superheat conditions exist the trap body may need to be primed with
water prior to steam being turned on to avoid steam blowing through the trap.

3.5

Inverted bucket steam traps do not permit rapid release of air. On process applications, in
particular, this can lead to slow warm-up times and waterlogging of the steam space. A
separate external air vent is therefore required in parallel to vent air efficiently. Any bypass
should be positioned above the trap. If it is below, and is leaking or left open, the waterseal
could be blown away leading to steam wastage (see Fig. 5). Where inverted bucket
traps are fitted in exposed conditions the possibility of freezing damage can be reduced by
thermal insulation.

3.6

Traps must be installed in a horizontal pipeline with the strainer pocket at the bottom. The
inlet of the trap should be below the drain point of the plant being drained, so that a
waterseal can be maintained around the open end of the bucket. A small drop leg should
precede the trap - typically 150 mm (6").

3.7

Where the trap discharges into a closed condensate return system or where there is a lift at
the trap, a check valve should be fitted downstream of the trap.

3.8

If the trap has to be installed at a higher point than the drainage point then a small bore riser
into a 'U' seal should be used. A check valve should be fitted before the trap to prevent the
loss of the internal waterseal. See Fig. 6.

Note: If the trap is to discharge to atmosphere ensure it is to a safe place, the discharging fluid may
be at a temperature of 100 C (212F).

4. Commissioning
After installation or maintenance ensure that the system is fully functioning. Carry out tests on
any alarms or protective devices.

5. Operation
Under most conditions the trap will discharge condensate with a blast type action. Under low
load and / or low pressure applications the discharge may tend to 'dribble'. Condensate is
discharged at steam temperature so due care must be given to the site of the discharge.
6

IM-S03-11 ST Issue 1

Air vent
Bypass

'HM' trap

Check
valve

Fig. 5

Check
valve
'HM' trap

Fig. 6
IM-S03-11 ST Issue 1

6. Maintenance
Note: Before actioning any maintenance program observe
the 'Safety information' in Section 1.

Warning
The body / cover gasket and strainer cap gasket contain a thin stainless steel support
ring which may cause physical injury if not handled and disposed of carefully.

6.1 Before undertaking any maintenance on the trap it must be isolated from both the supply line
and return line and any pressure allowed to safely normalise to atmosphere. The trap should then
be allowed to cool. When reassembling, ensure that all joint faces are clean.
6.2 How to fit the valve and seat assembly:
- Undo the cover bolts and nuts (2) and remove the cover from the body.
- Unhook the bucket (4) from the valve lever (10).
- Remove the valve guide plate by undoing the two screws (5).
- Remove the seat (8) from the cover.
- Ensure all joining faces are clean and then screw in the new seat to the recommended tightening
-

torque. Use a small amount of joining paste on the threads.

Fit new valve guide plate with the two screws supplied and refit the new lever. Ensure that the
valve and seat are aligned correctly before finally tightening the guide plate screws.
Hook the bucket to the lever and ensure gasket faces on the body cover are clean.
Using a new cover gasket (7) refit the cover to the body ensuring the small ferrule (11) is positioned
correctly. Tighten cover bolts / nuts to the recommended tightening torque (see Table 1).

6.3 How to clean / replace the strainer screen:

- Undo the strainer cap (13) and remove the screen (12) and gasket (14).
- Clean or replace the strainer screen (12).
- Ensure threads are clean.
- Refit new strainer cap gasket and locate the screen in the strainer cap.
- Screw into the body and tighten to the recommended torque (see Table 1).
Table 1 Recommended tightening torques
or
Item no.

Nm

(lbf ft)

mm
" and "
1"
" and "
HM34
1"
" and "
HM
1"
" and "
HM34
1"
" and "
HM
1"
" and "
HM34
1"

M6 x 25
M12 x 45
M8 x 30
M12 x 45

HM
2

13

13
13
13
13
22
27
22
27

M28
M32
M28
M32

15
85
25
25
50
80
50
80
90
125
90
125

16
95
28
28
55
88
55
88
100
145
100
145

(11
(61
(18
(18
(36
(57
(36
(57
(64
(89
(64
(89

12)
68)
20)
20)
40)
63)
40)
63)
72)
104)
72)
104)

IM-S03-11 ST Issue 1

Valve seat
assembly

6
5

10
4

11

12
14

13

Fig. 7 HM Series shown

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2
9

7. Spare parts
The spare parts available are shown in heavy outline. Parts drawn in broken line are not supplied
as spares.

Available spares
Valve and seat assembly
Bucket
Cover gasket and ferrule (packet of 3 each)

5, 6 (2 off), 8, 10
4
7, 11

Strainer screen

12

Strainer screen gasket (packet of 3)

14

Set of cover bolts and nuts (set of 6)

How to order spares

Always order spares by using the description given in the column headed 'Available spares' and
state the size and series of the trap.
Example: 1 - Valve and seat assembly for DN15 HM34/7 Spirax Sarco inverted bucket steam trap.

10

IM-S03-11 ST Issue 1

Valve seat
assembly

6
5

10
4

11

12
14

13

Fig. 8 HM Series shown

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11

12

IM-S03-11 ST Issue 1