X.

X Steam Traps

According to ANSI/FCI 69-1-1989, a steam trap is a self-contained valve that automatically drains condensate and, in
some models, non-condensable gases from a steam-containing enclosure while remaining tight to live steam or, if
necessary, allow steam to flow at a controlled or adjusted rate. In industrial applications, steam traps are to ensure
that steam lines remain dry in order to maximize heating, minimize steam losses, and prevent hammering and
equipment damage.

Steam is formed when water vaporizes to form a vapor. In order for the vaporization process to occur, the water
molecules must be given enough energy such that the hydrogen bonds between the molecules break. This energy is
equivalent to the latent heat of vaporization. Steam-based heating processes use the latent heat and transfer it to a
given product stream. When work is done and the steam has given up its latent heat, steam condenses to form a
condensate stream. As a result, the condensate, which has relatively less available energy for heat transfer, does not
have the ability to do the work that steam does. Heating efficiency will suffer if condensate is not removed as rapidly
as possible, whether in steam transport piping or in a heat exchanger.

A manual drain valve cannot be reliably used to regulate condensate draining in any given steam line. Adjusting the
valve opening manually to match the amount of condensate generated will only discharge a fixed amount of
condensate and is impractical. This method cannot account for fluctuations in the generated condensate load, which
is affected by a lot of factors. For example, the condensate formed at start-up differs from that during normal
operation. Moreover, fluctuations in the amounts of feed and product also result in differences in the amount of
condensate generated. Changes in outdoor air temperature and velocity, and weather conditions also affect
condensate load for steam transport piping. If the device can't respond to fluctuations in condensate load, condensate
will instead pool inside the equipment/pipe and heating efficiency will suffer. On the other hand, when the
condensate load lessens, steam leakage will occur and steam will be wasted.

Various steam trap mechanisms with different operation principles have been developed. The most widely used
mechanisms rely on differences in temperature, specific gravities, and pressure and each type has its own advantages
and applications.

X.X.1 Types of Steam Traps

Three types of steam traps will be discussed under this section: Mechanical, Thermodynamic and Thermostatic steam
traps.

1. MECHANICAL STEAM TRAPS – the operation principle for these traps utilizes buoyancy. They take
advantage of the difference between the weights of condensate and steam. They are also known as “Float
Traps” or “Bucket Traps” which are suitable for use for variety of application including steam main lines,
steam using applications such as heat exchangers and insulation applications such as tracers.

MECHANICAL STEAM TRAPS

Operating
Operating
Pressure
Type Picture Definition Temperature
Range
Range (oC)
(MPaG)
Offer continuous
discharge for
Free Float optimal process for
Steam Traps use on low 0.01 – 2.1 0 – 220
(Low Pressure) pressure. The float
(free float) rises
and sinks as the
 flow of condensate
fluctuates, opening
the valve to
discharge
condensate and
closing off the
valve when steam
enters.
Offer continuous
discharge for
optimal process for
use on mid to high
pressure. The float
(free float) rises
Free Float
and sinks as the
Steam Traps
flow of condensate 0.01 – 12 0 – 530
(Medium/High
fluctuates, opening
Pressure)
the valve to
discharge
condensate and
closing off the
valve when steam
enters.
Has a tight seal
even under low
condensate load
conditions. It is a
Free float
construction. The
valve opening is
under a continuous
water-seal, so no
Free Float steam can escape
Steam Traps through the valve. 0.01 – 10 0 – 425
For Main Lines The float’s 3-point
seating holds the
float tightly against
the valve opening
even under small
condensate loads
such as in
superheated steam
lines, so no steam is
allowed to escape.
The trap has an
integral bypass
valve, eliminating
Steam Traps the need for a
0.01 – 2.1 0 – 220
with Bypass separate bypass
line and thereby
saving space at the
trap installation.
 With maximum
discharge capacity
of 150 t/h. It is a
float dynamic
construction, with
its larger valve
opening,
discharges large
amount of
condensate from
steam heating
Large Capacity
equipment that
Float Steam 0.01 – 4.6 0 – 425
uses greater
Traps
amounts of steam
than average. The
free float responds
with great
sensitivity to the
flow of condensate,
rapidly initiating
condensate
discharge as soon
as condensate
enters.
designed to allow
complete
condensate
drainage and easy
disassembly for
Clean Steam cleaning. The
0.01 – 0.6 0 – 165
Traps interior of these
steam traps is
designed to
prevent corrosion
and growth of
bacteria.

2. THERMODYNAMIC STEAM TRAPS – the operation principle for these traps utilizes the difference in the
thermodynamic properties of the condensate and steam. They are also known as “Disc Traps” which are
suitable for variety of applications such as steam main lines, tracers and steam heating equipment.

THERMODYNAMIC STEAM TRAPS

Operating
Operating
Pressure
Type Picture Definition Temperature
Range
Range (oC)
(MPaG)
 Extremely versatile
disc type steam
traps. Disc steam
trap operation may
suffer if the trap is
exposed to cold air
and rain, so to
prevent wasteful
leakage of steam
incorporation of an
Disc air-jacketed
Type pressure chamber
0.025 – 26 0 – 550
Steam model, and for even
Traps greater insulation, a
steam-jacketed
pressure chamber
model. The high-
precision machined
disc valve and
valve seat offer
excellent sealing
properties,
preventing wasteful
discharge of steam.

3. THERMOSTATIC STEAM TRAPS – the operation principle for these traps utilizes the difference in the
temperatures of the steam and condensate. They are also known as “Temperature Control Traps” or
“Balanced Pressure Traps” which are suitable for use for variety of application including air conditioning,
room heating and steam tracers.

THERMOSTATIC STEAM TRAPS

Operating
Operating
Pressure
Type Picture Definition Temperature
Range
Range (oC)
(MPaG)
Operate by the
difference in
temperature
difference
between steam
and
condensate.
Thermostatic Any rust or
0.01 – 3.2 0 – 240
Steam Traps scale entering
the trap from
the piping is
discharged
together with
the condensate
through the
large valve
 opening,
greatly
reducing the
chance of a
build-up of
rust or scale
that would
obstruct the
valve opening.
Bimetal type
temperature
control steam
traps with
built-in scale
removal
function. A
bimetal
element is
used for
temperature
Temperature sensing, and
Control the user is able 0. 1 – 4.6 0 – 350
Traps to set the
condensate
discharge
temperature.
Its condensate
discharge
temperature is
adjustable
without
disconnecting
the trap from
the piping.
Specialized
radiator steam
traps for room
heating where
thermowax is
employed as
the
temperature-
sensing
Radiator
medium in 0.01 – 0.3 0 – 150
Traps
these steam
traps. The trap
can also be
disassembled
and parts can
be replaced
while still
installed in the
piping
 Thermostatic
steam traps
designed to
allow complete
condensate
drainage and
easy
disassembly
Clean Steam
and cleaning. 0.01 – 0.6 0 – 165
Traps
The interior of
these steam
traps is
designed to
prevent
corrosion and
growth of
bacteria.