Other steam traps
Media
Manufacturers
Technical specifications
Other designations: open suction condensate remover, thermodynamic condensate remover, perforated plate condensate remover
What are other steam traps?
When discussing the features of condensate removers in our trainings, we highlight three arguments
- the condensate remover must be capable of reacting to changing conditions
- normally, when in operation, the condensate remover must not allow fresh steam to pass through
- one of the condensate remover’s functions is to remove air from the system
In this section, we introduce condensate remover models that do not meet these criteria. Their selling point is often a low purchase price, but the high lifetime cost is usually not mentioned.
Thermodynamic steam traps
A thermodynamically operating condensate remover is very inexpensive. Its operation is extremely simple. The operating element of the remover is a so-called coin, and when in operation, the incoming fresh steam rises onto the coin and presses it down against a closing surface – closing the condensate remover. Unfortunately, some of the fresh steam escapes into the condensate system during each operating cycle, meaning that the remover does not meet the criterion that, under normal conditions, the condensate remover should not waste fresh steam.
This is illustrated in the following video.
Another issue with the condensate remover operating on this principle is its sensitivity to so-called air locking. In the initial phases of the process, there is often a lot of air in the system, and the air moves along with the steam towards the condensate system. When the air reaches the remover, with this operating principle, the air behaves like steam: it climbs onto the coin and closes the condensate remover. Unlike steam, air is a non-condensable gas and does not leave the coin, causing the remover to get stuck in position and the condensate remover to cease operation.
Konwell and our importer Gestra do not sell the condensate remover operating on this principle in Europe, where energy prices are high, and where increasing attention is paid to energy efficiency and process reliability.
Open suction condensate remover
Condensate removers operating on the open suction principle are rarely seen in Finland. And if they are seen, they usually come as part of a plant delivery from outside Europe. In an open suction system, a slider functions as the suction element, which rises due to the effects of gas (steam/air) and a closing device shuts off the condensate flow. The challenge here is air removal. In some cases, a hole is drilled in the slider to allow air to escape. On the other hand, fresh steam also escapes through this opening under normal conditions. Due to these challenges, we preferred the suction condensate remover instead. The advantage of the open suction condensate remover is its reasonable resistance to water impact, since the water inside the condensate remover acts as a shock absorber.
Perforated plate condensate remover
A perforated plate condensate removal solution is occasionally offered as a maintenance-free condensate removal solution. It is so because there are no so-called moving parts in a perforated plate. The operating principle of the perforated plate is based on the known pressure and condensate load in the process. If these remain constant, an orifice can be calculated in the perforated plate such that the condensate is just barely removed and the system does not become waterlogged. The weak point of this solution lies precisely in the assumption of constant pressure and constant load, as in practice the reality is almost never constant. And if there is less condensate than anticipated, fresh steam is blown through the perforated plate, and conversely if there is more condensate, the system becomes waterlogged.
We are happy to provide more information on selecting a condensate remover. Also, check out our versatile trainings.