Steam Traps ValvesTubesFittings.com

Steam traps in various forms have been used since the 19th century to improve the quality and heat transfer efficiency of process steam, the first steam traps were the bucket and pulse version. Pulse steam traps are no longer in use but bucket traps despite the age of the technology are still widely used, other steam traps available depending on the process requirements are thermostatic, bimetallic, thermodynamic, float and free float.

Here at ValvesTubesFittings.com, we can offer the latterly named traps from stock but do not offer a bucket version of a steam trap as we believe that in the vast majority of steam systems this technology is past its sell-by date. Steam traps on their own are not the complete answer for condense issues in your steam distribution system, condense production on steam mains can be reduced by 90% by installing the correct pipe insulation and equally heat losses from condense return can be greatly reduced. To explore more on steam traps and their uses please continue reading our blog or to discuss your specific requirements please contact our technical sales team.

Steam Traps For Steam Distribution.

Steam distribution mains require dirt pockets in various forms to remove non-discharged condense, each dirt pocket is fitted with a steam trap and for decades these have normally been the thermodynamic version and although these steam traps have been efficient at achieving condense removal they lose anything from 1Kg/Hr to 5Kg/Hr in normal operation, they are also prone to air locking on start-up. The solution to this is to fit free float line drain steam traps, these are available in various sizes with orifices to suit differential pressures from 5 bar to 21 bar, if you’re not 100% sure of your system requirements please talk to our technical team about your requirements, we can also offer information on dirt pocket types and dimensions.

The removal of non-discharged condense from steam mains is key to process steam efficiency and steam quality, when installing steam mains dirt pockets should be sited at 30m to 50m intervals and where the steam main changes level and finally at the end of the steam main. Line end dirt pockets should be fitted with separate air eliminators to ensure all air and non-condensable gases are removed efficiently, trapped air in line ends can and do effect steam system warm-up times quite severely. I hear you say that steam traps have built-in air eliminators and TLV steam traps have very efficient air eliminators but the volumes of air involved would be greater than any steam traps could deal with. For a complete guide to steam distribution mains, please contact us to discuss your installation.

Steam Traps For Heat Exchangers.

The vast majority of process steam installations are heat exchangers of one form and another and all these processes require the correct steam traps to be fitted, each steam trap should be sized correctly for the condense load expected including start-up loads and be fitted with the correctly sized orifice to suit the differential pressure and of course have the correct safety factor to ensure that the fitted steam trap fitted does not suffer excessive erosion. Steam traps from TLV can deal with small loads for laundries and textile businesses and huge loads associated with the power and petrochemical industries and of course everything in between.

Here at ValvesTubesFittings.com, we can offer a substantial range of stock steam traps for delivery and collection; this includes some stainless steel steam traps at SG iron prices. To explore our full range of TLV steam traps please click the highlighted link to choose the correct model best suited to your system and process. You can also explore the valuable information on TLV’s website where you will find pipe sizing tools, heat loss calculations and product data sheets. Other associated links are for heavy steam pipe BS EN 10255:2004 and steel pipe fittings BS EN 10241:2000 or simply discuss your needs with our sales office who are certainly one of the leading process steam products distributors in the UK offering decades of experience not matched by many other businesses.

Disclaimer: Information correct at the time of publishing (August 2015) but is subject to change. E&OE.