Steam traps are very important parts of any steam system because they prevent condensation from building up in the pipe by draining it out.
Steam Traps are installed at pre-specified intervals in the steam carrying out to drain out condensate build-up due to cooling by the outside environment.
Trapped condensate in steam-carrying pipes can lead to a two-phase flow of steam and condensate and hammering near bends. This condensate greatly reduces steam's heat transfer ability.
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 trap works on a mechanical mechanism that opens and closes the way for condensate based on the presence of steam and condensate within the system. Float, Bucket and Disc are types of Mechanical Traps.
- Thermostatic Traps: Thermostatic type traps contain Temperature-sensitive elements such as bellows or bimetallic strips that expand or contract 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 work on the principle of dynamic energy which regulates the flow of condensate out of the system. Disc and Impulse are types of thermodynamic traps.