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An Introduction To Steam Traps
Following material provided by
Armstrong International, Inc
© 2002, Armstrong International, Inc.,
Reproduced with permission.

A simple, economical steam system consists of certain basic components:

a boiler that generates steam

piping that delivers steam from the boiler and returns condensate to the boiler
a heat exchanger where heat is transferred to perform work
a steam trap

A steam trap is a device that automatically senses the difference between steam, non-condensable gases and condensate. It assures retention of steam within the system, while
removing condensate and non-condensables.

There are several different kinds of steam trap designs, varying according to application demands and requirements. In this section we'll learn how to determine which trap is
needed for a specific job.

Types of Steam Traps

An effective steam trap maximizes the efficiency of a steam system in three ways:

It keeps the system filled with dry steam (saturated steam without entrained condensate)
It removes by-products (condensate and air) from the system that form insulating barriers that prevent efficient and effective heat transfer
It makes the hot condensate available for recycling, reducing both waterside care and energy costs at the boiler

Mechanical traps operate by using the difference in density between steam and condensate. A float within the trap detects the variance in weight between a gas and a liquid.

Thermostatic traps detect the variation in temperature between steam and condensate at the same pressure. The sensing device operates the valve in response to changes in the
condensate temperature and pressure.

Thermodynamic Traps use volumetrics and pressure differences that occur when water changes state into gas. These changes act upon the valve directly.

Inverted Bucket Steam Trap Operating Principles

The inverted submerged bucket steam trap is a mechanical trap that operates on the principle of the difference in density between steam and water.

How It Works

Step 1
Steam, condensate and non-condensables enter the trap
through an inlet tube centered beneath the bucket.
Condensate flows down and around the bottom of the
bucket, rising in the body of the trap until it completely
encloses the bucket. At this point the trap is considered
primed.

Step 2
Steam collects under the bucket, displacing the
condensate, until the bucket is buoyed by the lower
density of the steam. The trap's valve is pushed toward
the seat by the rising bucket until the pressure
differential across the seat snaps the valve closed.
 Step 3
A vent in the top of the bucket is sized so that the amount
of steam flowing through it makes up for the radiation
loss of the trap. Any air under the bucket flows through
the vent as well. The steam and air collect in a chamber at
the top of the bucket.

Step 4
Steam trapped in the steam space of the heat exchanger
gives up its heat, condenses, and is drained to the trap. As
the steam under the bucket is replaced by the condensate
from the heat exchanger, the bucket loses its buoyancy
and sinks, pulling the valve from the seat. Condensate
passes through the relatively small space under the
bucket at an increased velocity, picking up any dirt that
has fallen from the condensate and carrying it out of the
valve. Any air that has collected in the space above the
bucket is discharged ahead of the condensate.

Modulating Operation
The inverted bucket trap can also operate in "modulating" mode. This partially
opening, instantly closing operation occurs quickly enough that the output
flow from the trap appears to be continuous.

This operation is used during very low-load periods when fluid dynamics in the
discharge orifice cause the trap to behave differently. When the valve begins to
open, a small flow of condensate starts through the cracked valve. The
pressure drop across the valve, combined with the small opening, causes the
condensate to flash into steam and to increase the velocity of the steam
through the orifice. This, in turn, increases pressure drop. The net result is an
increase in the forces acting to close the valve.

When condensate flow into the trap is sufficiently large (relative to the
instantaneous flow through the discharge port), the water level under the
bucket rises rapidly. This counters the increased closing force at the discharge
orifice, and the valve is pulled free of the seat. However, if condensate flow in
the trap is quite low, the level under the bucket may not increase rapidly
enough to counter the increased closing force, and the valve is pulled shut.

Armstrong IB Trap Features

1. The bucket vent provides continuous and

automatic air venting. For situations with
heavy start-up air loads, large or thermic
vents can be substituted.

2. The "free-floating" linkage, self-lapping

valve, and seat and bucket are made of
stainless steel.

Steam does not reach the water-sealed

discharge valve. There is virtually no live
steam loss through the valve.

Purging action breaks up films and

speeds them through the system.

Continuous draining does not back up

condensate.

3. The IB trap is available with a number of

material choices, connection choices,
and sizes.

IB typically fails open.

Back pressure diminishes capacity.

 4. Resistant to multiple occurrences of water
hammer and freezing damage.

5. The open bucket is resistant to damage

from water hammer and freezing.

The relatively small passage under the

bucket ensures that small dirt particles
will be picked up and carried out of the
trap.

Float and Thermostatic Trap Operating Principles

A float and thermostatic trap is a mechanical trap that operates on both density and temperature principles. Float and thermostatic traps provide high air-venting capacity and are suitable
for both industrial and HVAC applications.

How It Works

Step 1
Air, steam and water enter the trap near the top. The float rises
on the surface of the condensate, opening the valve. As long as
the air and steam mixture above the condensate surface stays
below steam temperature, the bellows charge remains a liquid
and the valve remains open.

Step 2
As steam accumulates in the trap, it heats the charge in the
thermostatic valve until it vaporizes, expanding the bellows or
wafer and closing the valve. Note that even though the steam is
trapped by the condensate level and the thermostatic valve,
condensate is still draining at the same rate that it enters the trap.

Step 3
If enough air enters the trap to cause the temperature in the gas
space to fall below steam temperature, the thermostatic valve will
open to vent it. If the condensate load from the heat exchanger
falls sufficiently, the float valve closes until the condensate level
rises again. In this way steam is trapped in the exchanger
regardless of the air or condensate load to the trap.

Armstrong F and T Trap Features

1. Float can collapse under

recurring instances of freezing
and water hammer.

2. Thermostatic bellows can

be damaged by freezing
and water hammer.

Thermostatic trap fails

open or closed.

High placement of valve

reduces chance of
condensate blocking air
flow.

Valve wide open at start-

up.

Vents non-condensables
under low-pressure
conditions.

Continuous drainage.

There is a small amount of

live steam loss through the
thermostatic element every
time it opens.

3. Stainless steel is corrosion-

resistant.

4. Float valve typically fails

closed.

5. Condensate valve is water-

sealed, which prevents
steam loss.
 Condensate is discharged
close to steam
temperature.

Float valve typically fails

closed.

6. Back pressure reduces

trap's capacity.

F & T traps are available for

use with a wide range of
pipe sizes, capacities and
pressures.

Thermostatic Steam Trap Operating Principles

Thermostatic steam traps detect the variation in temperature between steam and condensate at the same pressure. The sensing device operates the valve in response to changes in
the condensate temperature and pressure. These traps are generally used on applications with very light condensate loads.

How It Works
Step 1
On start-up, the trap's charge is a liquid and the valve is
open. Any condensate or air pushed ahead of the steam
passes around the bellows and out of the trap. When
steam comes into contact with the bellows, it heats the
charge. The charge vaporizes and expands the bellows,
which forces the valve into the seat-closing trap.

Step 2
When the steam that is in contact with the bellows
cools and condenses, so does the charge. The internal
pressure of the bellows falls below the system pressure,
pulling the valve from the seat and opening the trap.

Armstrong Thermostatic Trap Features

1. Small and lightweight.

Wide range of pressures,

loads, materials and
connections available.

2. Handles start-up loads.

3. Sub cools condensate.

4. Vents air at low pressures.

5. Does not stand up well to water

hammer.

6. Thin, flexible metal parts are

subject to corrosion damage.

7. Can be damaged in freezing

environments.

8. Easily fouled by dirt.

9. Fits into limited spaces.

10. Back pressure only reduces the

capacity of the trap.

11. Can be used as air vents.

Valve fully open at start-up.

Differential Condensate Controller Operating Principles

Automatic differential condensate controllers are designed for applications where condensate must be lifted from a drain point or applications that use gravity drainage and require
increased velocity to aid in their operation.
Lifting condensate from the drain point reduces the pressure of condensate, causing a part of it to flash into steam. Since ordinary steam traps cannot distinguish flash steam from
live steam, they close and impede drainage.

Increased velocity with gravity drainage aids in drawing condensate and air to the differential condensate controller, where it vents the secondary steam. Secondary steam is then
collected for use in other heat exchangers or discharged to the condensate return line.

Drainage equipment capacity varies a great deal depending on the application. A single condensate controller provides sufficient capacity for most applications.

How It Works
Differential controllers are constructed similarly to inverted
bucket steam traps. The difference is that DCs have a
secondary outlet tube mounted coaxially in the inlet tube
under the bucket. At the top of the secondary outlet tube is an
umbrella-shaped guard that prevents inlet steam, air or
condensate from flowing directly into the secondary outlet.

Condensate is discharged from the primary orifice at the

maximum pressure differential, the same as in an IB trap. A
manual metering valve located in the secondary steam outlet
piping sets the pressure differential under the bucket. It is
adjusted to match the pressure reduction created in lifting the
condensate. In this manner, the flash steam, as well as any
non-condensables, will be evacuated through the secondary
outlet.

Armstrong DC Features
1. Low-pressure air venting.

Continuous drainer.

2. Resistant to wear and corrosion.

Bucket and linkage are stainless

steel and free-floating.

3. Self-lapping stainless steel valve.

Valve does not pass live steam.

4. Back pressure reduces capacity.

5. Resistant to water hammer and

freezing damage.

6. Removes small dirt particles.

7. Few moving parts means long service

life.

8. Manual metering valve required to

adjust secondary steam output.

Secondary orifice provides

continuous air venting.

Handles heavy start-up loads.

Constant, controlled flow provides

scrubbing effect.

Controlled Disc Steam Trap Operating Principles

The controlled disc trap is a time-delayed device that operates on the velocity principle. It contains only one moving part, the disc itself. Lightweight and compact, the controlled
disc trap meets the needs of many applications where space is limited.

In addition to the disc trap's simplicity and small size, other advantages include resistance to hydraulic shock, the complete discharge of all condensate when open, and intermittent
operation for a steady purging action.

How It Works

Step 1
At start-up, the disc is pushed off its seat by any
air or condensate entering the trap. When the
steam enters the trap, it passes through the
reduced area at the face of the disc, increasing in
 velocity and, therefore, decreasing in pressure.
Some of the steam is discharged directly into the
outlet stream, but a portion of it (along with
some entrained condensate) passes to a control
chamber above the disc. The disc snaps shut
because the pressure in the control chamber
above acts on the whole disc, while the inlet
pressure of the high-velocity steam acts only on
a small area of the disc.

Step 2
A small bleed groove across the disc allows the steam and
air to bleed out of the control chamber over time. When the
force above the disc is overcome by the force of incoming
steam, condensate or air on the face of the disc, the trap
opens, discharging condensate that has accumulated
during the cycle.

Some manufacturers provide a steam jacket around the control chamber to prevent the blow-through of live steam when the trap is exposed to environmental conditions such as
cold temperature or rain. Others supply insulating covers for the same purpose.

Armstrong CD Features
1. Constructed of carbon steel
and stainless steel.

2. Small, lightweight design.

Available over a range of

pressures and capacities.

Several pipe sizes and

connecting fittings
available.

3. Valve requires maximum

differential pressure.

Operation hampered by
low inlet pressure or by
back pressure.

4. Violent snapping action of disc

can wear the seat, causing
short service life.

5. Small orifices can become

blocked by dirt and scale.

6. Simple mechanism, no
linkage.

7. Condensate often cools below

steam temperature before
removal.

8. Fits into limited space.

9. Resistant to corrosion,
freezing and water hammer.

Bimetallic Steam Trap Operating Principles

The bimetallic trap operates on the temperature principle using two layers of metallic elements, each with different expansion coefficients.

Careful choice of materials and surface treatments in bimetallic traps makes them highly resistant to the erosive action of flash condensate and prevents wear on the trap's valve
and seat material.

How It Works
Step 1
In bimetallic traps the valve is operated by metal strips made
of alloys with different coefficients of expansion that are
bonded together.
 At start-up, the trap is cold and the bimetallic element is
relaxed. The valve is wide open.

Step 2
When steam enters the trap, it surrounds and heats the
strips, which begin to expand at different rates. The
element pulls directly on the valve stem, closing the valve
against the pressure differential. As heat radiates from the
trap, the strips begin to cool. When the element has cooled
sufficiently, it relaxes, opening the valve.

Armstrong Bimetallic Trap Features

1. Vents non-condensables at low
pressure.

2. Resists corrosion damage.

3. Handles light loads well.

May need to pre-set operation

range.

4. Handles start-up loads well.

5. Easily clogged by dirt.

6. Available in a number of
connecting types and sizes as
well as a range of pressures
and capacities.

Robust construction resistant

to water hammer.

7. Operates well in freezing

environments.

8. Sub cools condensate.

Only the trap capacity is

affected by increased back
pressure.

For additional information on steam traps and other products, please visit Armstrong International, Inc

Dampers, Louvers, & Diverters

In HRSG systems, many different types of dampers and louvers are employed. The type and construction used is dependent on the purpose it is used for. Dampers and louvers can
generally be broken down by the following types.

Butterfly Damper
Parallel Blade Louver Opposed Blade Louver
Double Louvers Diverter Dampers
Slide Gate(Guillotine) Swing Gate

Butterfly Damper:
Butterfly
Damper
Butterfly dampers are single blade, low leakage or minimum leakage dampers utilizing a round, square or rectangular blade. Butterfly dampers are well suited
for on/off service or flow control balancing. Electric, pneumatic, hydraulic and manual gear actuators with pneumatic or electrical positioners can be used.

Parallel Blade Louver: