Scribd
Upload
40 views10 pages

Typical Trap Selection: Thermodynamic Traps

The document discusses different types of steam traps, including thermodynamic traps, float traps, thermostatic traps, and inverted bucket traps. It describes the advantages and disadvantages of each type, and provides guidance on proper trap sizing, installation, and maintenance to prevent issues like steam leaks and waterlogging.

Uploaded by

rasik.kirane
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
40 views10 pages

Typical Trap Selection: Thermodynamic Traps

The document discusses different types of steam traps, including thermodynamic traps, float traps, thermostatic traps, and inverted bucket traps. It describes the advantages and disadvantages of each type, and provides guidance on proper trap sizing, installation, and maintenance to prevent issues like steam leaks and waterlogging.

Uploaded by

rasik.kirane
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 10

Trainer A.R.

Kanade
[email protected]
Typical Trap Selection
; Thermodynamic Traps
Headers
Platten presses
Separators
; Float Traps
All process equipment
; Inverted Bucket Traps
Where risk of water hammering exists.
; Balanced Pressure Traps
Tracing lines and tracing jackets
Trainer A.R.Kanade
[email protected]
Thermodynamic Traps
; Unaffected by temperature and pressure
fluctuations
; No adjustment needed, simple and robust
; Only one moving part
; Can withstand water hammer, vibration etc.
; Not damaged by freezing
; Compact and lightweight
; Large condensate handling capacity for their size
; On line maintenance of trap possible
; Disc prevents return flow of condensate - no NRV

: Do not work well with low inlet or high discharge


pressures
: Rapid pressure build up at startup can cause trap
shut out
: Noisy operation
Trainer A.R.Kanade
[email protected]
Ball Float Steam Traps
; Continuous discharge of condensate at steam
temperature
; Ideal for applications with large condensate
loads demanding immediate removal
; Able to handle light as well as heavy
condensate loads with equal ease
; Not adversely affected by wide and sudden
fluctuations in pressure
; When fitted with an Automatic Air Vent, the
trap is able to discharge air freely
; Ideally suited for applications where steam
locking occurs (with SLR)

: Susceptible to damage by water hammer


: Not suitable for use with superheated steam
: Orifice size a function of discharge pressure
: Can be damaged by freezing
Trainer A.R.Kanade
[email protected]
Thermostatic Steam Traps
; Small, light and have a large capacity for their
small size
; Valve is fully open on start up allowing air to
be discharged freely and giving maximum
condensate removal when load is greatest
; Unlikely to freeze when working in an exposed
position
; Automatically adjusts itself to variations of
steam pressure up to the maximum pressure
for which it is suitable
; Trap maintenance is easy and can be
performed online

: Element susceptible to damage by water


hammer and corrosive condensate
: Not suitable for use with superheated steam
: Not suitable for applications where no
waterlogging is desired
Trainer A.R.Kanade
[email protected]
Inverted Bucket Steam Traps
; Can withstand high pressures
; Can be used with superheated steam if a check
valve is fitted at the inlet
; High tolerence to waterhammer
; Simple design, little that can go wrong

: Small discharge hole on top of bucket means


that air discharge is slow
: Loss of water seal possible in cases where
there is an abrupt drop in steam pressure:
causes steam wastage
: Extra temperature associated with
superheated steam is more likely to cause loss
of the water seal
: Likely to get damaged due to freezing if
installed in an exposed position
: NRV a must upstream of trap in case
pressure fluctuations are present
Trainer A.R.Kanade
[email protected]

Trap Sizing

; Calculate the condensate load to be handled


; Allow for a safety factor
; Based on the upstream and back pressure,
follow the typical capacity curve
; Ensure proper trap installation
Trainer A.R.Kanade
[email protected]
Trap Installation
; Stop Valves
; Strainer (if not built into the trap)
; Spiratec Chamber
; Non Return Valve
; Diffusor
Trainer A.R.Kanade
[email protected]

The Consequences of Steam Leaks

: The heavy cost of wasted steam


: What is the impact of a 3 mm hole leaking steam
at 7 bar?

: 18kg an hour of steam will be wasted


: For a year of 8400 hours this represents a waste
of 115,000 kW/h of natural gas
Trainer A.R.Kanade
[email protected]

The Consequences of Waterlogging

: Unpredictable waterlogging caused by trap failure


or blockage may cause product spoilage.

: Inadequate heating or freezing can damage plant.


Trainer A.R.Kanade
[email protected]

Hidden Extra Costs

If the leaking trap cannot be identified :


: Productive machines will be stopped

- loss of output
- paying operators for idle time
: Overtime paid to maintenance crews to remove and
examine traps at random.
: Working traps may have their internals replaced
unnecessarily.

You might also like