Things are as bad in the process piping field as they have been in a long time due to the decline in oil prices. However, the Power and Food Processing businesses are chugging along and there is hope that the oil prices will recover later in the year when the uncertainty of the U.S. political scene will resolve itself.
This months’ tips
All tips are extracts from ‘Detail Engineering and Layout of Piping Systems’
8.3 Steam Trap Selection
|
Steam Trap Type |
Float & Thermostatic |
Inverted Bucket |
Thermostatic |
Thermodynamic |
|
Reponses to load changes |
Fast |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Slow |
|
Air venting |
Medium/High |
Low |
High |
Low |
|
Main applications |
Drip legs, Process equipment |
Drip legs, Process equipment |
Drip legs, Process equipment, tracing |
Drip legs, tracing |
|
Capacity |
High |
High |
Low |
Low |
|
Maintenance |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Easy |
Easy |
|
Relative cost |
Medium/High |
Medium/Low |
Low |
Low |
|
Failure mode |
Variable |
Fails in closed position |
Fails in open position |
Fails in open position |
Figure 8-11: Steam Trap Selection Chart
