How should traps be selected?

2022-07-29

How should traps be selected?
A valve that automatically drains condensate and prevents steam leakage is called a trap.
In modern society, steam is widely used in industrial and agricultural production and living facilities, no matter in the steam transmission pipeline system, or the use of steam for heating, drying, heat preservation, disinfection, cooking, concentration, heat exchange, heating, air conditioning, etc. The condensed water generated in the process needs to be removed through the steam trap, and the steam is not allowed to leak.
The steam trap is an important accessory of the steam use system. Its performance plays an important role in the normal operation of the system, the improvement of the thermal efficiency of the equipment and the rational use of energy. Especially when primary energy sources such as coal, oil and natural gas are decreasing day by day, governments around the world take energy conservation and development of new energy sources as important national policies. The steam trap plays a key role that cannot be ignored in the energy saving of the steam utilization system.

The purpose of the trap

The purpose of the trap is to block steam and drain water and improve the thermal efficiency of steam; it is used in steam pipelines and steam-using equipment to remove condensed water when it is opened, and prevent steam leakage when it is closed.

Trap performance parameter range: nominal size DN15~150; nominal pressure PN16~260; working temperature t<550℃.

When selecting a trap, in addition to the nominal size, nominal pressure and working temperature, the working pressure difference and displacement of the trap should also be considered.

Selection and use of traps

Trap is an automatic control device that automatically discharges condensed water from a closed container or steam pipeline that stores steam, while maintaining no leakage of fresh steam, and also allows steam to pass through at a predetermined flow rate when necessary.

The action principle and performance of the steam trap

Steam traps can be divided into three categories: mechanical steam traps driven by condensate level changes; thermostatic steam traps driven by condensate temperature changes; thermodynamic steam traps driven by condensate dynamic characteristics valve.

The steam trap is an important accessory of the steam utilization system, and its performance has an important throttling effect on the normal operation of the system, the improvement of the efficiency of the equipment hot water valve and the rational use of energy.

Since various types of steam traps have different advantages and disadvantages and different applicable conditions, various types of steam traps have coexisted for a long time for many years and have been used in various industrial pipelines. Among the many types of traps, it is necessary to correctly select the one that is suitable for a certain system, because it has a great impact on the normal operation of the system, and proper selection can improve thermal efficiency and save fuel.

In the surroundings of office buildings, schools, scientific research institutes, hospitals, residential buildings, commercial buildings and other buildings that require a quiet environment, it is not appropriate to use thermodynamic steam traps with large noise, but thermostatic steam traps and float balls should be used. type trap, because of its slow action, small impact force and low noise.

For indoor steam heating equipment and pipelines that operate intermittently, traps with good exhaust performance, such as inverted bucket or thermostatic traps, should be selected.

Generally, mechanical traps should not be used for traps that work outdoors. When they must be selected, antifreeze protection measures should be taken.

How should steam traps be installed?

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