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7.14 Steam Trap

Steam traps are automatic valves that release condensate from a steam space while
preventing the loss of live steam. They also remove air and non-condensable from
the steam space.

7.14.1 Types of Steam Trap

a. Thermostatic steam traps open and close with the expansion and contraction of a
temperature-sensitive element. These traps operate on the difference in
temperature between steam, the cooler condensate, and air.

i. Bellows Trap

The bellows trap is most nearly approaches ideal operation and efficiency and is
most economical among the control devices.

It is positive in both directions, is fast acting and does not require adjustment.
Bellows traps employ only one moving part, a liquid filled metal bellows which
responds quickly and precisely to the presence or absence of steam.

7.14.1-1 Operation of Bellows Trap

L EG ENDS

AIR & NON- CONDENSATE STEAM

CONDENSIBLES
BELLOWS VALVE

During startup and warm-up, a vacuum in the bellows keeps it retracted with the
valve lifted well clear of the seat permitting air and non-condensibles to be freely
discharged.
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Next, the condensate is discharged. Then, heat from arriving steam will cause the
liquid in the bellows to vaporize and close the valve. At temperature, the valve will
remain closed indefinitely opening only when condensate, air or other non-
condensibles cause it to retract and open.

When live steam re-enters the trap housing, the bellows extends immediately,
trapping the steam.

b. Mechanical steam traps are buoyancy operated based on the difference in

density between steam and condensate.

Steam entering these traps is fed into the bucket causing it to float to the top of
the surrounding pool of condensate and close the discharge valve.  When only
condensate enters the trap, the steam in the bucket condenses and the bucket
sinks, opening the discharge valve.

i. Inverted Bucket Traps

Inverted bucket traps, as their name suggests, operate like an upside down
bucket in water. During startup, the trap is filled with water, with the bucket (A) at
the bottom and the valve (B) fully open to allow condensate to flow out freely.

7.14.1-2 Operation of Inverted Bucket Trap

L EG EN D S

AIR STEAM CONDENSATE

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Air trapped in the bucket escapes through a vent hole (C). On some buckets, an
additional vent hole is controlled by a bimetallic strip which is kept closed by the
steam. Therefore, the vent only operates during startup. This limits bucket trap air
handling capacity.

BUCKET TYPE FLOAT VALVE

VENT
HOLE

At temperature, steam enters under the bucket and causes it to float close the
valve (B). During heat use, any condensate entering the line is forced up into the
bucket. The bucket looses buoyancy and drops down, reopening the valve and
discharging the condensate.

Bucket traps are rugged and reliable, however, air building up in the bucket can
bind them closed causing condensate to back up in the line. Also, they can waste
steam if they lose their prime. Bucket traps require priming water in the trap
which makes them vulnerable to freeze up unless expensive insulation is added.

c. Thermodynamic steam trap is a time cycle device which responds to imbalances

of pressure applied to a valving device, usually a disc.

7.14.1-3 Operation of Thermodynamic Steam Trap (Disc Type)

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CHAMBER

DISC
DISC

Pressure caused by air or condensate lifts the disc permitting flow through the
trap.
When steam arrives at the inlet port, blow-by at a high velocity creates low
pressure under the disc. Some of the flashing condensate is blown past the disc
into the upper chamber, forcing the disc downward.

DISC
DISC

L EG ENDS

STEAM & FLASHING STEAM CONDENSATE STEAM &

CONDENSATE CONDENSATE

Further flow is stopped when sufficient pressure is trapped in the chamber above
the disc. During operation, a decrease in chamber pressure permits inlet
pressure to lift the disc and open the trap.

The decrease in the chamber pressure should only be caused by the presence of
cooler condensate. Due to the design of most thermodynamic traps, especially in
cold or wet conditions, the chamber may be prematurely cooled causing improper
or frequent cycling as well as steam loss and increased wear. Advanced
thermodynamic designs have a steam jacket which surrounds the chamber and
prevents ambient conditions affecting the operation of the disc.
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Trap is easily affected by dirt and/or other foreign matter which will cause trap to
fail open.

7.14.2 Application of Steam Traps in the Engine Room

Steam traps in the engine room are commonly installed in groups and commonly
located just after the device which is applied such as heater, tanks with heating
elements, steam outlet line of a turbine, etc.

Steam traps are mostly maintenance free devices and frequent monitoring is
advised.

Fig.7.14.2-1 Typical Installation of Steam Trap

STEAM TRAP

(IN) VALVE (OUT) VALVE

BYPASS VALVE

(IN) VALVE STEAM TRAP (OUT) VALVE

7.14.3 Maintenance of Steam Trap

i. Most of the steam traps are not requiring frequent maintenance except in some
cases that when the trap is malfunctioning.
ii. When the system is in operation and cleaning of steam trap strainer is required,
open the bypass valve and close the stop valve before and after the trap.
ii. Release the steam pressure at the trap, loosen the strainer plug at the bottom
and carry out cleaning of the strainer.

7.14.4 How to detect if Steam Trap is Working or Not Working during Operation
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i. Check the inlet and outlet line of the steam trap and observe that the temperature
between the inlet and outlet line has a slight difference. It should be warm and
not either too hot or cold.
ii. If the outlet line is too hot, it means that the steam trap is fully open.
iii. If the steam trap is to cold, it means that that it is fully close and the steam is not
flowing into the system. This is a typical situation when operating a steam heater
at initial stage. Open the drain valve of the steam trap and totally drain the
trapped water before it. Observe that the liquid to be heat up will start to increase
its temperature.