Inverted bucket pilot-operated steam trap
I. Introduction:
The inverted bucket pilot-operated steam trap is designed to discharge condensate, air, and carbon dioxide gas from steam systems, while automatically preventing steam leakage to the greatest extent possible. There are many types of steam traps, each with different performance characteristics. When selecting a steam trap, first choose one whose specific performance meets the operating requirements of the steam heating equipment, then consider other objective conditions. Only in this way can you select the correct and effective steam trap you need. Steam traps are used in equipment that utilizes steam, where only steam is required. Condensate will inevitably form inside such equipment, and this condensate becomes a harmful fluid, mixed with air and other non-condensable gases, which causes equipment malfunctions and reduced performance.
II. Precautions:
1. Clean the piping and equipment before installation to remove impurities and prevent clogging.
2. Steam traps should be installed as close as possible to the bottom of steam-using equipment and in locations that facilitate drainage.
3. Steam traps should be installed in easily accessible locations for maintenance, and arranged as centrally as possible to facilitate management.
4. Each steam heating equipment should be equipped with an individual steam trap.
5. The bypass pipe must not be installed at a lower level than the steam trap.
6. During installation, ensure the arrow direction on the valve body matches the flow direction of the medium in the piping.
7. The piping at the inlet and outlet of the steam trap should have a downward slope of 4%, and the nominal diameter of the piping must not be smaller than that of the steam trap.
8. If the drainage capacity of a single steam trap is insufficient, multiple steam traps can be installed in parallel. In locations where freezing may occur, antifreeze measures must be implemented.
III. Features and Performance:
1. Strong adaptability to condensate generation, capable of both intermittent and continuous discharge.
2. Equipped with a large-capacity double-seat differential pressure mechanism and SCCV (Steam Closure Check Valve) shut-off system, delivering large drainage capacity in a compact size.
3. All internal components are made of stainless steel and mounted on the valve cover, making maintenance extremely convenient.
4. High back pressure rate of 90%.
5. Reliable steam-water separation: Steam and water enter from the lower part of the valve through a U-shaped channel, and the valve is always in a water-sealed state, effectively preventing steam leakage.
6. The open-type float resists water hammer, and the bucket is equipped with an overflow vent, which effectively prevents steam lock and air blockage.
7. Combined with a lever mechanism, it can be manufactured as a high-pressure valve.
IV. Working Principle:
The inverted bucket pilot steam trap has only one semi-floating ball bucket as the moving component, with its opening facing downward. The ball bucket serves as both the opening/closing element and the sealing element. When the device is first started, air and low-temperature condensate in the pipe enter the steam trap through the discharge pipe. The bimetallic air vent element inside the trap pops the ball bucket open, opening the valve to quickly discharge air and low-temperature condensate. When steam enters the ball bucket, the ball bucket generates upward buoyancy. At the same time, the temperature inside the valve rises, causing the bimetallic air vent element to contract, and the ball bucket floats toward the valve seat, closing the valve. When the steam inside the ball bucket condenses into water, the ball bucket loses buoyancy and sinks, opening the valve to quickly discharge the condensate. When steam re-enters the ball bucket, the valve closes again, operating intermittently and continuously. Since the valve seat is isolated by a water seal, steam and water are separated, resulting in no steam leakage during operation.
| Machinery & Equipment/Valves/Steam Traps | |
