BRITISH STANDARD BS EN

27841:1991
ISO 7841:1988

Methods for

Determination of steam
loss of automatic steam
traps

The European Standard EN 27841:1991 has the status of a

British Standard
BS EN 27841:1991

Cooperating organizations

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN), under whose supervision

this European Standard was prepared, comprises the national standards
organizations of the following countries.

Austria Oesterreichisches Normungsinstitut

Belgium Institut belge de normalisation
Denmark Dansk Standardiseringsraad
Finland Suomen Standardisoimisliito, r.y.
France Association française de normalisation
Germany Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V.
Greece Hellenic Organization for Standardization
Iceland Technological Institute of Iceland
Ireland National Standards Authority of Ireland
Italy Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione
Luxembourg Inspection du Travail et des Mines
Netherlands Nederlands Normalisatie-instituut
Norway Norges Standardiseringsforbund
Portugal Instituto Portuguès da Qualidade
Spain Asociación Española de Normalización y Certificación
Sweden Standardiseringskommissionen i Sverige
Switzerland Association suisse de normalisation
United Kingdom British Standards Institution

This British Standard was

published under the authority
of the Standards Board and
comes into effect on Amendments issued since publication
29 November 1991

© BSI 11-1999 Amd. No. Date Comments

The following BSI references

relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference PSE/7
Draft for comment 85/73145 DC

ISBN 0 580 20221 6

 BS EN 27841:1991

Contents

Page
Cooperating organizations Inside front cover
National foreword ii
Foreword 2
Text of EN 27841 3
National appendix NA (informative) Inside back cover
National appendix NB (informative) Inside back cover

© BSI 11-1999 i
BS EN 27841:1991

National foreword

This British Standard has been prepared under the direction of the Piping
Systems Components Standards Policy Committee. It is the English language
version of EN 27841:1991 “Automatic steam traps — Determination of steam
loss — Test methods” published by the European Committee for Standardization
(CEN). It supersedes BS 6027:1990 which is withdrawn. EN 27841:1991 is
identical with ISO 7841:1988 published by the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO).
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
the EN title page, pages 2 to 14, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.

ii © BSI 11-1999
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 27841:1991
NORME EUROPÉENNE
October 1991
EUROPÄISCHE NORM

UDC 621.646.9.057:621.186.1:620.1

Descriptors: Industrial valves, traps: drainage, water vapour, steam, tests, measurements, head losses

English version

Automatic steam traps — Determination of steam loss —

Test methods
(ISO 7841:1988)

Purgeurs automatiques de vapeur d’ eau — Kondensatableiter — Bestimmung des

Détermination de la perte de vapeur — Dampfverlustes — Prüfverfahren
Méthodes d’ essai (ISO 7841:1988)
(ISO 7841:1988)

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 30 September 1991 and is

identical to the ISO standard as referred to.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal
Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard
the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any
CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French,
German). A version in any other language made by translation under the
responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the
Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
United Kingdom.

CEN
European Committee for Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation
Europäisches Komitee für Normung
Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 36, B-1050 Brussels

© CEN 1991 Copyright reserved to all CEN members

Ref. No. EN 27841:1991 E
EN 27841:1991

Foreword Contents
On the proposal of the Technical Committee Page
CEN/TC 69 “Industrial Valves” CEN BT has Foreword 2
decided by resolution C67/1990 to submit the
1 Scope and field of application 3
International Standard.
2 References 3
ISO 7841:1988: Automatic steam traps —
Determination of steam loss — Test methods to 3 Test arrangements 3
Formal Vote. 4 Test method A 3
This European Standard was adopted by CEN 5 Test method B 8
on 5 August 1991. 6 Bibliography 13
According to the Common CEN/CENELEC Rules, Figure 1 — Test arrangement for steam
the following countries are bound to implement this loss tests with test method A 4
European Standard:
Figure 2 — Test arrangement for steam
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, loss tests with test method B 9
Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

Endorsement
The text of the International Standard
ISO 7481:1988 was approved by CEN as a European
Standard without any modifications.

2 © BSI 11-1999
 EN 27841:1991

1 Scope and field of application

This International Standard specifies two test methods to determine the steam loss of automatic steam
traps to ISO 6552.
The object of these tests is to determine the amount of live steam, if any, that is lost through the steam
trap. They are, therefore, tests to evaluate the ability of the traps to shut against steam during successive
operations.
There is no measurement of the total heat energy lost by the trap. Such total heat loss would include
radiation and convection components which can be established separately.

2 References
ISO 651, Solid-stem calorimeter thermometers.
ISO 652, Enclosed-scale calorimeter thermometers.
ISO 653, Long solid-stem thermometers for precision use.
ISO 4185, Measurement of liquid flow in closed conduits — Weighing method.
ISO 6552, Automatic steam traps — Definition of technical terms.

3 Test arrangements
The test arrangements for steam loss determination are shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. The minimum
water capacity of the calorimeter tank (see Figure 1) shall be 0,02 m3. It is most important that the
condensate drainage device be fully capable of maintaining a dry line to the heat exchanger. The test device
shall be located sufficiently below the heat exchanger to prevent condensate backing up into the heat
exchanger, should the test device only operate infrequently.
All piping and equipment (including the heat exchanger) shall be insulated to a value of

to reduce thermal losses to a minimum.

The instruments used for the measurements shall comply with International Standards, if such standards
exist, e.g.
— ISO 651, ISO 652, ISO 653 for temperature measurements;
— ISO 4185 for flow measurements.
The condensate removal device shall not be modified in any way from its commercial form.

4 Test method A

© BSI 11-1999 3
4

EN 27841:1991
© BSI 11-1999

1) Operating at steam temperature.

Figure 1 — Test arrangement for steam loss tests with test method A
 EN 27841:1991

The test may be carried out at a pressure corresponding to the maximum working pressure of the trap, the
test pressure not exceeding 32 bar 1) with saturated steam (238 °C).
Load testing shall be carried out at 1 % of the maximum capacity of the trap at the corresponding test
pressure with a minimum of 5 kg/h.
4.1 Procedure
4.1.1 No-load condition
Start with all valves closed and tanks empty.
4.1.1.1 Open valves 1, 2 and 3 to permit the drain and test devices to operate at test pressure ps.
4.1.1.2 During warm-up, weigh and record the mass of the empty calorimeter tank mt, and record the steam
pressure ps and steam temperature Ús.
4.1.1.3 Fill the calorimeter tank with sufficient water (about half-full) to result in a test run of practical
duration. The initial water temperature Ú1 should be at least 8 °C below ambient temperature Úa. Record
the water temperature Ú1 and mass of water plus tank m1.
4.1.1.4 When thermal equilibrium is reached, simultaneously and rapidly close valve 3, open valve 4, and
start the timing interval. The use of a three-way valve is recommended to facilitate rapid closing and
opening.
4.1.1.5 Stir the water in the tank as necessary to ensure a uniform water temperature.
4.1.1.6 When the temperature of the water in the tank is as many degrees above ambient as the initial
temperature was below, rapidly close valve 4 and open valve 3 simultaneously, record the elapsed time, the
final water temperature Ú2 and the mass of water plus tank m2.
4.1.1.7 Before the measurement, trial runs should be carried out to ensure that the test conditions have
stabilized and that the pressure, temperature, initial amount of water in the calorimeter tank and load
conditions are those required. When testing condensate removal devices, an error calculation is made from
three consecutive tests to determine the accuracy of the test result. The error calculation is based on the
instrumentation used and described in this International Standard; or the average result from three
consecutive tests shall agree within 10 % or 500 g/h, whichever is the greater.
If this cannot be obtained, check the system for integrity and increase the calorimeter tank capacity.
4.1.2 Load condition
Start with all valves closed and both tanks empty.
4.1.2.1 Open valves 1, 2 and 3 to permit the drain and test devices to operate at test pressure ps.
4.1.2.2 During warm-up, weigh and record the mass of the empty calorimeter tank mt, and record the steam
pressure ps and steam temperature Ús.
4.1.2.3 Open valves 5 and 6 to allow a flow of cooling water through the heat exchanger, to create the
desired condensate load on the test device. After the system has come to equilibrium, this load. can be
determined by closing valve 6 and opening valve 7, to permit a known amount of water to be collected in a
given time.
Record the temperature of water entering and leaving the heat exchanger, ÚE and ÚL, the initial and final
mass of exchanger water plus tank, m3 and m4, and the time %t, in seconds, of run on the Data Sheet in 4.3.
The approximate condensate load, in kilograms per hour, on the trap may then be calculated using the
formula

where hfgs is the specific enthalpy of the evaporation at steam inlet conditions, in joules per kilogram.
4.1.2.4 If the load on the trap as determined in 4.1.2.3 is as desired, proceed to 4.1.2.5. If it is not as desired,
adjust valve 5 accordingly and repeat the procedure in 4.1.2.3 until the desired load is obtained.

1)
1 bar = 105 Pa

© BSI 11-1999 5
EN 27841:1991

4.1.2.5 Fill the calorimeter tank with sufficient water (about half-full) to result in a test run of practical
duration. The initial water temperature Ú1 should be at least 8 °C below ambient temperature Úa. Record
the water temperature Ú1 and mass of water plus tank m1.
4.1.2.6 When thermal equilibrium is reached, simultaneously and rapidly close valve 3, and open valve 4,
and start the timing interval. The use of a three-way valve is recommended to facilitate rapid closing and
opening.
4.1.2.7 Stir the water in the calorimeter tank as necessary to ensure a uniform water temperature.
4.1.2.8 When the temperature of the water in the calorimeter tank is as many degrees above ambient as
the initial temperature was below, rapidly close valve 4 and open valve 3 simultaneously, record the
elapsed time, the final water temperature Ú2 and the mass of water plus tank m2.
4.1.2.9 Before the measurement, trial runs should be carried out to ensure that the test conditions have
stabilized and that the pressure, temperature, initial amount of water in the calorimeter tank and load
conditions are those required. When testing condensate removal devices, an error calculation is made from
three consecutive tests to determine the accuracy of the test result. The error calculation is based on the
instrumentation used and described in this International Standard; or the average result from three
consecutive tests shall agree within 10 % or 500 g/h, whichever is the greater.
If this cannot be obtained, check the system for integrity and increase the calorimeter tank capacity.
4.2 Expression of results
4.2.1 Correction of measured variables
The values of observed variables shall be corrected in accordance with instrument calibrations and, if
necessary, converted to the proper units required for calculations.
4.2.2 Use of formula symbols
The symbols used in this International Standard are the ones normally associated with engineering
practice in this field. In a few cases, the same symbol has different meanings in different parts of this
International Standard according to its application. In order to avoid confusion, each formula has been
provided with its own list of definitions of symbols and units.
4.2.3 Computation formula

where
qms is the steam loss, in kilograms per hour;
mi is the initial mass of water in the calorimeter, in kilograms;
mf is the final mass of water and condensate in the calorimeter, in kilograms;
m1 is the mass of calorimeter plus water, at the start, in kilograms;
m2 is the mass of calorimeter plus water, at the finish, in kilograms;
mt is the mass of calorimeter tank, in kilograms;
hf1 is the initial specific enthalpy of water in the calorimeter, in joules per kilogram;
hf2 is the final specific enthalpy of the condensate and water in the calorimeter, in joules per
kilogram;
hfs is the specific enthalpy of the liquid at steam inlet conditions, in joules per kilogram;
hfgs is the specific enthalpy of the evaporation at steam inlet conditions, in joules per kilogram;
cp is the specific heat of the calorimeter material, in joules per kilogram kelvin;
Ú1 is the initial water temperature in the calorimeter tank, in degrees Celsius;
Ú2 is the water temperature in the calorimeter tank, in degrees Celsius;
%t is the time interval, in seconds.

6 © BSI 11-1999
 EN 27841:1991

4.3 Data sheet

© BSI 11-1999 7
EN 27841:1991

5 Test method B

8 © BSI 11-1999
© BSI 11-1999

EN 27841:1991
1) The separating tank should be kept hot by a heated jacket or an insulating system.
2)
Operating at steam temperature.
Figure 2 — Test arrangement for stream loss tests with test method B
9
EN 27841:1991

The test may be carried out at a pressure corresponding to the maximum working pressure of the trap, the
test pressure not exceeding 32 bar with saturated steam (238 °C).
Load testing shall be carried out at 1 % of the maximum capacity of the trap at the corresponding test
pressure with a minimum of 5 kg/h.
5.1 Procedure
5.1.1 No-load condition
Start with all valves closed and tanks empty.
5.1.1.1 Open valves 1, 2 and 3 to permit the drain and test devices to operate at test pressure ps.
5.1.1.2 Fill the condensing tank with approximately 20 kg of cold water.
5.1.1.3 Open valve 4 and close valve 3 to permit the separating tank and associated pipework to warm up.
Close valve 4 and open valves 3 and 8. Allow any condensate which has collected to drain out.
Measure and record the mass of the condensing tank and its water.
5.1.1.4 Simultaneously and rapidly close valves 3 and 8, open valve 4, and start the time interval.
5.1.1.5 During the test period, record the steam pressure ps, the test device inlet temperature Ús, and the
outlet temperature Úo.
5.1.1.6 At the end of the set test time, simultaneously and rapidly close valve 4 and open valve 3.
5.1.1.7 Record the mass of the empty measuring vessel. Open valve 8 and drain condensate into the
measuring vessel and reweigh. Record the mass. Measure and record the final mass of the condensing tank
and its water.
5.1.1.8 Calculate the steam loss in accordance with 5.2.
5.1.1.9 When testing condensate removal devices, an error calculation is made from three consecutive tests
to determine the accuracy of the test result. The error calculation is based upon the instrumentation used
and described in this International Standard; or the results from three consecutive tests shall agree
within 10 % or 500 g/h, whichever is the greater. If this cannot be obtained, check the system for integrity.
5.1.2 Load condition
Start with all valves closed and tanks empty.
5.1.2.1 Open valves 1, 2 and 3 to permit the drain and test devices to operate at test pressure ps.
5.1.2.2 Open valves 5 and 6 to allow a flow of cooling water through the heat exchanger to create the desired
condensate load on the test device. After the system has come to equilibrium, this load can be determined
by closing valve 6 and opening valve 7 to permit a known amount of water to be collected in a given time.
Record the temperatures of water entering and leaving the heat exchanger, ÚE and ÚL, the initial and final
weights of exchanger water plus tank, m5 and m6, and the time %t, in seconds, of run on the Data Sheet
in 5.3. The approximate condensate load, in kilograms per hour, on the trap may then be calculated using
the formula:

where hfgs is the specific enthalpy of the evaporation at steam inlet conditions, in joules per kilogram.
5.1.2.3 If the load on the trap as determined in 5.1.2.2 is as desired, proceed to 5.1.2.4. If it is not as desired,
adjust valve 5 accordingly and repeat the procedure in 5.1.2.2, until the desired condensate load is
obtained.
5.1.2.4 Fill the condensing tank with approximately 20 kg of cold water.
NOTE After completing 5.1.2.4, the procedures described in 5.1.2.5 and 5.1.2.6 should be executed as quickly as possible.
5.1.2.5 Open valve 4 and close valve 3 to permit the separating tank and associated pipework to warm up.
Close valve 4 and open valves 3 and 8. Allow any condensate which has collected to drain out.
Measure and record the mass of the condensing tank and its water.
5.1.2.6 Simultaneously and rapidly close valves 3 and 8, open valve 4, and start the time interval.
5.1.2.7 During the test period, record the steam pressure ps, the test device inlet temperature Ús and the
outlet temperature Úo.

10 © BSI 11-1999
 EN 27841:1991

5.1.2.8 At the end of the set test time, simultaneously and rapidly close valve 4 and open valve 3.
5.1.2.9 Record the mass of the empty measuring vessel. Open valve 8 and drain condensate into the
measuring vessel and reweigh. Record the mass. Measure and record the final mass of the condensing tank
and its water.
5.1.2.10 Calculate the steam loss in accordance with 5.2.
5.1.2.11 When testing condensate removal devices, an error calculation is made from three consecutive
tests to determine the accuracy of the test result. The error calculation is based upon the instrumentation
used and described in this International Standard; or the results from three consecutive tests shall agree
within 10 % or 500 g/h, whichever is the greater. If this cannot be obtained, check the system for integrity.
5.2 Expression of results
5.2.1 Correction of measured variables
The values of observed variables shall be corrected in accordance with instrument calibrations and, if
necessary, converted to the proper units required for calculations.
5.2.2 Use of formula symbols
The symbols used in this International Standard are the ones normally associated with engineering
practice in this field. In a few cases, the same symbol has different meanings in different parts of this
International Standard according to its application. In order to avoid confusion, each formula has been
provided with its own list of definitions of symbols and units.
5.2.3 Computation formula

where
qms is the steam loss, in kilograms per hour;
mst is the mass of steam collected in the condensing tank, in kilograms;
mc is the mass of condensate collected in the separating tank, in kilograms;
hfs is the specific enthalpy of the liquid at the trap inlet temperature, in joules per kilogram;
hfo is the specific enthalpy of the liquid at the trap outlet temperature, in joules per kilogram;
hgo is the specific enthalpy of the saturated steam at the trap outlet temperature, in joules per
kilogram;
hgs is the specific enthalpy of the saturated steam at the trap inlet temperature, in joules per
kilogram;
%t is the time interval, in seconds.

If the value of qms, in kilograms per hour, exceeds the following value, a calibration of the separating
efficiency of the separator shall be made and applied to correct the readings measured.

where
D is the inside diameter of the separating tank, in metres;
v1 is the specific volume of saturated steam in the separating tank, in cubic metres per kilogram.

© BSI 11-1999 11
EN 27841:1991

5.3 Data sheet

12 © BSI 11-1999
 EN 27841:1991

6 Bibliography
ISO 6704, Automatic steam traps — Classification.
ISO 6948, Automatic steam traps — Production and performance characteristic tests.

© BSI 11-1999 13
14 blank
 BS EN 27841:1991

National appendix NA (informative)

The United Kingdom participation in the preparation of this European Standard was entrusted by the
Piping Systems Components Standards Policy Committee (PSE/-) to Technical Committee PSE/7, upon
which the following bodies were represented:

Amalgamated Engineering Union

Association of Bronze and Brass Founders
Association of Building Component Manufacturers
British Chemical Engineering Contractors’ Association
British Foundry Association
British Gas plc
British Maritime Technology
British Plumbing Fittings Manufacturers’ Association
British Valve and Actuator Manufacturers’ Association
Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
Copper Development Association
Department of the Environment (Property Services Agency)
Electricity Industry in United Kingdom
Energy Industries Council
Engineering Equipment and Materials Users’ Association
Fire Extinguishing Trades Association
GAMBICA (BEAMA Ltd.)
Health and Safety Executive
Institute of British Foundrymen
Institution of Chemical Engineers
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Institution of Water and Environmental Management
Liquefied Petroleum Gas Industry Technical Association (UK)
Pipeline Industries Guild
Society of British Gas Industries
Society of British Water Industries
Water Companies Association
Water Services Association of England and Wales
West Midlands CBI

National appendix NB (informative)

The British Standards corresponding to the International Standards referred to in the text are as follows:
International Standard British Standard

ISO 653:1980 BS 5074:1974 Specification for short and long solid-stem thermometers for
precision use
(Technically equivalent)
ISO 4185:1980 BS 6199 Measurement of liquid flow in closed conduits using weighing and
volumetric methods
Part 1:1981 Weighing method
(Identical)
ISO 6552:1980 BS 6023:1981 Glossary of technical terms for automatic steam traps
(Identical)

© BSI 11-1999
BS EN
27841:1991
ISO 7841:1988 BSI — British Standards Institution
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