Steam traps for OPC Applications
Main Applications Tracing Main distribution lines Turbines Instrument tracing Winterizing or fluids at non critical temperature ( <80°C) Fluids at critical temperature (> 80°C) Main distribution lines Turbines Process heat exchangers
Main Parameters Load Pressure : can be modulated or constant Small ( 10 kg/h to 20 kg/h) Medium ( 20 to 100 kg/h) Large (>100 kg/h) Pressure : can be modulated or constant Low ( max 6 bar ) Medium ( max 20 bar) High (> 20 bar) Superheated Back pressure Nihil or atmospheric Under pressure
Role of the Steam Traps Basically : To get rid of the condensate . To eliminate air and carbon dioxide . But also : To prevent steam to escape into the condensate return . And : To make heating systems as efficient as possible . To prevent their corrosion . To get rid of impurities .
Working and Selection Criterions Immediate evacuation of the condensate Immediate reaction to load variations Operation in presence of back pressure Evacuation of non-condensible gases at start-up Evacuation of non-condensible gases in stable service conditions No sensitivity to adverse weather conditions Resistance to water hammer Long life Energy conservation
Selection of Steam Traps for Tracing Applications Ideally the steam traps should : Work efficiently at low load (< 5 kg/h); Work with high back pressure; Be dirt resistant; Be freeze resistant; Fail in open position; Be environment friendly;
Most used Steam Traps for Tracing Applications Inverted bucket traps Bimetallic traps Thermodynamic traps Wafer traps
Steam Tracing Applications Instrumentation tracing : Wafer capsule trap Winterizing/non critical temperature tracing First choice : Bi-Metallic trap (discharge to atmosphere) Alternate choice : Inverted bucket trap(discharge to condensate return Critical tracing : First choice : Inverted bucket traps Second choice : Bi Metallic traps
Main Distribution Lines Ideally ,the steam trap should : React immediately. Not subcool or back up the condensate . Be resistant to water hammer . Be freeze resistant
Most used Steam Traps for Main Distribution Lines Applications Inverted bucket traps Bimetallic traps Thermodynamic traps
Main Distribution Lines Low pressure saturated pressure lines: First choice : Inverted Bucket traps Second choice : Thermodynamic traps Medium pressure saturated pressure lines High pressure saturated pressure lines First choice : Inverted bucket trap ( <45 bar) Alternative choice : Bi Metallic traps (> 45 bar)
Main Distribution Lines High Pressure superheated Steam : First choice : Bi Metallic traps
Ideally the steam traps should : Heat exchangers Ideally the steam traps should : Make heating systems highly efficient thus not allowing condensate subcooling . Get rid of non-condensible gases . Be resistant to water hammers . Work with back pressure .
Process Heat Exchangers Constant Steam Pressure Modulating Steam Pressure Vacuum
Most Used Steam Traps on Process Heat Exchangers Applications Inverted Bucket Steam Traps (< 5 t/h) Float & Thermostatic Steam Traps (> 5 T/h) Steam Powered Pump Traps ( P1<P2)