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Technical corner

14.Flash Steam

20/09/2023

Flash steam is a name given to the steam formed from hot condensate when the pressure is reduced. Flash steam is no different from normal steam, it is just a convenient name used to explain how the steam is formed. Normal or “live” steam is produced at a boiler, steam generator, or waste heat recovery generator – whereas flash steam occurs when high pressure / high temperature condensate is exposed to a large pressure drop such as when exiting a steam trap. High temperature condensate contains an excess of energy which prevents it from remaining in liquid form at a lower pressure. The result is that the excess energy causes a percentage of the condensate to flash.

15.Distinguishing between Flash Steam and Steam Leaks

20/09/2023

Is it Flash Steam or a Steam Leak? Flash steam is typically generated from the condensate discharged by a steam trap, but this should not be confused with a leak. Leaks, on the other hand, generally occur when a steam trap malfunctions. The result is the discharge of live steam. In both cases, steam discharge can be observed at the trap outlet. The difficulty for site personnel or operators lies in how to determine whether a steam trap is leaking purely based on observation of the steam discharge from the trap. There are no easy answers, as the steam in both patterns looks very similar. The first consideration might be whether the amount of steam discharge tells us anything. Unfortunately, the amount alone is not enough to paint the whole picture. The appearance of flash steam can vary considerably based on the type of steam trap, the condensate load, and the operating steam pressure. See the videos below showcasing steam traps in operation to see the difference.

What is a Steam Trap?

20/09/2023

Steam traps are a type of automatic valve that filters out condensate (i.e. condensed steam) and non-condensable gases such as air without letting steam escape. In industry, steam is used regularly for heating or as a driving force for mechanical power. Steam traps are used in such applications to ensure that steam is not wasted.

The History of Steam Traps #1

20/09/2023

What Came Before Steam Traps? Mankind first began to use steam in industry following the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century. Initially, steam was used as a motive source, to drive pumps, locomotives and the like. After a time, the use of steam as a motive source declined and instead steam began to be more widely used as a heating source. As you know, a characteristic of steam is that it condenses and changes to condensate when heat is used. In the beginning, the condensate was removed by either periodically opening a valve to blow out the condensate or by leaving a valve slightly open at all times to discharge the condensate while at the same time leaking steam (we touched on this in What is a Steam Trap?).

The History of Steam Traps #2

20/09/2023

In The History of Steam Traps Pt 1, we discussed the appearance of several different types of traps throughout the history of traps. The earliest of these was the bucket steam trap, which uses a buoyancy-based mechanical operation principal. After the bucket trap came the thermostatic bimetal trap, whose operation principal relies on differences in fluid temperature. This was followed by the appearance of the thermodynamic disc trap, whose operation principal is based on the phase change of steam -> condensate and the law of energy conservation. In this tutorial, we will discuss which types of traps from each operation principal category are widely in use today and the reasons for their popularity.

How Mechanical Traps Work: A Look at their Mechanism and Merits

20/09/2023

Mechanical traps are steam traps that operate on the principle of specific gravity (specifically the difference in the specific gravities of water and steam), unlike other types of steam traps that rely on temperature change or velocity/phase change. In mechanical traps, the valve opens and closes due to the movement of a float that rises and sinks with the flow of condensate. Mechanical traps are able to operate in precise response to the flow of condensate without their performance being compromised by most external factors. This is one of their distinct advantages over thermostatic and thermodynamic steam traps, whose performances can be affected by external factors such as rain, wind, or even insulation.

How Disc Traps Work: A Look at their Mechanism and Merits

20/09/2023

Thermodynamic type steam traps are valued for their compact size and versatility over a wide pressure range. They can have a simple construction, and operate in either horizontal or vertical positions. These characteristics make thermodynamic steam traps a favored choice for a wide variety of tracing, drip, and certain light process steam applications.

How Bimetal-Type Thermostatic Steam Traps Work: A Look at their Mechanisms and Merits

21/09/2023

A “bimetal” is a thermostatic element composed of two dissimilar metal plates bonded together. These dissimilar metals have different thermal expansion coefficients and when subjected to a change in temperature, the element begins to deform. Bimetallic steam traps make use of the deformation of the bimetallic element to open or close a valve head. Some bimetallic steam traps can be designed to function at predetermined operating temperatures. Other bimetallic steam traps can have their operating temperatures adjusted by field operators. The bimetal element contained within these traps is used to either open the trap when the temperature is too low or close the trap when the temperate is too high.

Steam Trap Selection: How Application Affects Selection

21/09/2023

Steps for Steam Trap Selection Given the large variety of steam traps and their operating characteristics, users may encounter some difficulty when trying to select the correct trap to most effectively drain condensate from their steam applications. Key trap selection considerations should include pressure and temperature ratings, discharge capacity, trap type, body material, and many other relevant factors. While it may seem daunting at first, this process can generally be separated into four easy-to-understand steps:

Applications of Different Types of Steam Traps

21/09/2023

A steam trap's most important job is to quickly discharge condensate that has formed in steam distribution lines, steam tracers, and in steam-using equipment. A steam trap must also be able to save energy by preventing steam leaks and by discharging non-condensing gases such as air. Steam traps are classified into different categories based on their construction and operation principles, and there are several different models of steam traps. Consult the links below to narrow down your choices and find the steam trap that best suits your purposes.