Steam traps are very important parts of any steam systems because they prevent condensate to build up in the pipe of system by draining it out.
Steam Traps are installed at pre-specified interval in the steam carrying out to drain out condensate build up due to cooling by outside environment.
Trapped condensate in steam carrying pipes can lead to two-phase flow of steam and condensate and can lead to hammering near bends. Also, This condensate greatly reduce heat transfer ability of steam.
Definition of Steam Traps
A steam trap is a device used in steam heating systems to automatically drain condensate (water) from the system while preventing steam from escaping.It helps maintain efficient operation by removing condensate promptly and preventing it from blocking pipes or interfering with heat transfer.
Types of Steam Traps
Steam traps are majorly classified into three major types based on their operating principle:
- Mechanical Traps: This type of traps works on mechanical mechanism which opens and closes the way for condensate based on presence of steam and condensate within system. Float, Bucket and Disc are types of Mechanical Traps.
- Thermostatic Traps: Thermostatic type traps contains Temperature sensitive elements such as bellows or bimetallic strips that expands or contracts based on temperatures which regulates the flow of condensate out of the system. Thermostatic Bellows and Balanced Pressure are types of thermostatic traps.
- Thermodynamic Traps: Thermodynamic type traps works on the principle of dynamic energy which regulates the flow of condensate out of the system. Disc and Impulse are types of thermodynamic traps.