Function and Types

Purpose
Steam traps exist to discharge air and condensate while
not permitting the escape of live steam
Their goal is to ‘purify’ the steam of excess air and water
(condensate) to :
Improve efficiency (Excess water or air in the system prevents it
from reaching operating temperature quickly during start-up)
Protect system (Inadequate steam trapping can lead to
waterhammer, corrosion, leakage, and high maintenance costs)
Provide maximum heat transfer (‘dry’ steam has best heat
transfer properties in equipment like a heat exchanger)
 Types
1. Mechanical steam traps - Have a float that rises and falls in
relation to condensate level and this usually has a mechanical
linkage attached that opens and closes the valve. Operate in direct
relationship to condensate levels present in the body of the steam
trap.

Click link below to view mechanical steam trap with animation:

[www.tlv.com/global/US/product-operation/free-float-steam-trap-jx.html]
 Types
2. Temperature steam traps - Have a valve that moves in/out
of position by either expansion/contraction caused by temperature
change. Some condensate builds up as it cools sufficiently to allow
the valve to open. In most circumstances this is not desirable as
condensate needs to be removed as soon as it is formed.

Click link below to view temperature steam trap with animation:

[http://www.tlv.com/global/US/product-operation/temperature-control-steam-trap-lex.html]
 Types
3. Thermodynamic steam traps - Work on the difference in
response to velocity change in flow of compressible and
incompressible fluids. As steam enters, static pressure above the
disk forces the disk against the valve seat. The static pressure over a
large area overcomes the high inlet pressure of the steam. As the
steam starts to condense, the pressure against the disk lessens and
the trap opens to allow condensate out.

Click link below to view thermodynamic steam trap with animation:

[http://www.tlv.com/global/US/product-operation/thermodynamic-steam-trap-a3n.html]

Mechanical
 continuous operation
 no action at no load,
continuous at full load
 
good energy conservation
 good resistance to wear
 good corrosion resistance
 excellent ability to vent
air at very low pressure
 excellent operation
against back pressure
 poor resistance to
damage from freezing
 fair ability to purge
system
 excellent performance on
very light loads
 poor ability to handle dirt
 large comparative
physical size
 closed at mechanical
failure
Comparison
Temperature
 intermittent operation
 fair energy conservation
 fair resistance to wear
 good corrosion resistance
 good abilities at low
pressures
 
excellent operation
against back pressure
 good resistance to
damage from freezing
 excellent ability to handle
start-up
 fair ability to handle dirt
 small comparative size
 open or closed at
mechanical failure
(depending on design)
Thermodynamic
 intermittent operation
 poor energy conservation
poor resistance to wear
 excellent corrosion
resistance
poor abilities at low
pressures
 poor operation against
back pressure
 good resistance to
damage from freezing
 excellent ability to purge
system
 poor ability to handle dirt
 poor ability to handle
flash steam
 open at mechanical
failure