Thermostatic traps open on the cooler temperature of condensate, float and thermostatic traps use a float for condensate and an element for air, inverted bucket traps use a buoyant bucket, and disc traps use the dynamics of flashing condensate. Traps fail open and blow steam into the return, wasting fuel and pressurizing returns, or fail closed and back up condensate, causing water hammer and cold equipment.
Half the steam traps on the third floor are blowing through, the vent on the condensate receiver looks like a locomotive.
A survey with an ultrasonic listener and a temperature gun usually pays for itself the first winter.
Also heard as
- trap
Related terms
Condensate return
The piping and equipment that bring condensed steam back to the boiler room for reuse as feedwater.
Main vent
A large-capacity air vent at the end of a steam main that lets air out fast so steam can fill the main.
Wet return
A steam system return line run below the boiler water line, so it always stays full of water.
EDR
Equivalent direct radiation: the square-foot rating of heating radiators, used to size steam boilers.