Inverted bucket pilot-operated steam trap

I. Introduction:
      The inverted bucket pilot-operated steam trap is designed to discharge condensate, air, and carbon dioxide from the steam system 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, you should first choose one whose specific performance meets the operation of the steam heating equipment, and 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 be generated in such equipment, and this condensate becomes a harmful fluid. Additionally, air and other non-condensable gases will mix in, causing equipment failures and reduced performance.

II. Precautions:
1. Clean the piping equipment before installation to remove impurities and prevent blockages.
2. Steam traps should preferably be installed below the steam-using equipment and in areas where drainage is easy.
3. Steam traps should be installed in easily accessible locations for maintenance, and arranged as concentrated as possible for convenient management.
4. Each steam heating equipment should be equipped with a separate steam trap.
5. The installation height of the bypass pipe shall not be lower than that of the steam trap.
6. During installation, ensure that the arrow direction on the valve body is consistent with the flow direction of the medium in the pipeline.
7. The pipelines at the inlet and outlet of the steam trap should have a downward slope of 4%, and the nominal diameter of the pipelines shall not be smaller than that of the steam trap.
8. If the drainage capacity of a single steam trap is insufficient, several steam traps can be installed in parallel. For applications where freezing may occur, antifreeze measures must be taken.

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 mechanism and SCCV (Closed Circuit Vent Valve) shut-off system, featuring small size and large discharge capacity.
3. All internal parts are made of stainless steel and installed 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 can effectively prevent steam lock and air blockage.
7. Combined with a lever mechanism, it can be made into a high-pressure valve.

IV. Working Principle:

The inverted bucket pilot steam trap has only one semi-floating spherical bucket as the moving part, with the opening facing downward. The spherical bucket serves as both the opening and closing element and the sealing element. When the device is just starting up, air and low-temperature condensate in the pipeline enter the steam trap through the discharge pipe. The bimetallic air vent element inside the valve pops the spherical bucket open, the valve opens, and air and low-temperature condensate are quickly discharged. When steam enters the spherical bucket, the spherical bucket generates upward buoyancy. At the same time, the temperature inside the valve rises, the bimetallic air vent element contracts, the spherical bucket floats toward the valve port, and the valve closes. When the steam inside the spherical bucket turns into condensate, the spherical bucket loses buoyancy and sinks downward, the valve opens, and the condensate is quickly discharged. When steam enters the spherical bucket again, the valve closes again, enabling intermittent and continuous operation. Since the valve seat is isolated by a water seal, steam and water are separated, and there is no steam leakage during operation.