Miscellaneous Mechanical ComponentsDOE-HDBK-1018/2-93STEAM TRAPSSTEAM TRAPSSteam traps are installed in steam lines to drain condensate from the lines withoutallowing the escape of steam. There are many designs of steam traps for highand low pressure use.EO 1.14STATE the purpose and general operation of a steam trap.EO 1.15IDENTIFY the following types of steam traps:a.Ball float steam trapc.Bucket steam trapb.Bellow steam trapd.Impulse steam trapGeneralOperationIn general, a steam trap consists of aFigure 16 Ball Float Steam Trapvalve and a device or arrangement thatcauses the valve to open and close asnecessary to drain the condensate frompiping without allowing the escape ofsteam. Steam traps are installed at lowpoints in the system or machinery to bedrained. Some types of steam traps thatare used in DOE facilities are describedin this chapter.BallFloatSteamTrapA ball float steam trap is illustrated inFigure 16. The valve of this trap isconnected to the float in such a way thatthe valve opens when the float rises.When the trap is in operation, the steamand any water that may be mixed with itflows into the float chamber. The water,being heavier than the steam, falls to the bottom of the trap, causing the water level to rise. Asthe water level rises, it lifts the float; thus lifting the valve plug and opening the valve. Thecondensate drains out and the float moves down to a lower position, closing the valve before thecondensate level gets low enough to allow steam to escape. The condensate that passes out ofthe trap is returned to the feed system.Rev. 0ME-05Page 35
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