Actually this video was taken with good intentions to depict the issues with improper selection of steam traps. The ISOTUB was not installed because it was not supplied by the manufacturer. This customer has a large installed base of these traps outside and was never told by the manufacturer or Rep. firm that they needed any changes.
Whether or not the trap is working is another question. The trap is doing what it is designed to do, however, this unit is also showing what WILL happen if installed outside and in direct contact with water/rain. The trap is cycling too fast and thus has lost effeciency. If you look closely you can see the live steam leaving the trap.
This very large plant has several hundred of these installed...and tells us that when it rains they have to startup the "RAIN BOILER" which is an auxiliary boiler due to the steam loss from insulation issues and these TD traps blowing. Why wouldn't they want to install thermostatic traps here which aren't affected like the TD traps?
We sell every type of trap...however proper selection is key. TD traps work well when installed properly. Even ISOTUBs cannot prevent this from happening. I will upload a new video later today showing the ISOTUB installed and the trap doing the same thing.
Also, the bucket in the picture was in place, not added. I guess they had to have a "bucket trap" to back up this Thermodynamic.
Looks like a Spirax Sarco TD42, and it should be covered with insulation or at least a trap jacket. The water on the cap makes the trap cycle prematurely.
@GleasonTech There are several factors to consider when selecting the type of steam trap for a particular application, such as equipment, condensate loads, pressure ect...
Thermostatic traps are designed to hold condensate until it has cooled to around 180DegF or so, thereby utilizing as much latent heat as possible which makes them excellent choice for radiators, however, this looks like it might be an outside distribution line trap (aka Drip Trap) though it is unclear from the video.
@SteamDataNetwork: We agree, every trap on the market (for the most part) have their particular applications. All have to be designed and installed properly to work correctly.
One point of contention would be that this is a Thermondynamic trap not a Thermostatic trap. These two traps work on completely different operating principles.
@SteamDataNetwork Also if you subcool 150 psig condensate which can be in condensate form at 366F to 180F you are simply backing up condensate. Subcool isn't cooling to 180F. That would be bad! Major contributor to waterhammer!
@SteamDataNetwork Another, consideration would be that although many traps are designed to subcool condensate below saturation temperature, it is not required to remove all of the latent energy. Thermodynamics dictates that when steam changes to form condensate it gives up all of the latent energy, thus there is only sensible energy remaining which if left in the condensate and that can actually will reduce the effiecency of the system.
This only shows that someone with dubious intentions and desonest actions, wants to demonstrate a point of vue for commercial purposes.
The equipment is not complete as it misses the ISOTUB mandatory in exposed environment.
After all has been made to subvert the normal operation amazingly it still continues to work ok.
jseeker 3 years ago
Actually this video was taken with good intentions to depict the issues with improper selection of steam traps. The ISOTUB was not installed because it was not supplied by the manufacturer. This customer has a large installed base of these traps outside and was never told by the manufacturer or Rep. firm that they needed any changes.
GleasonTech 3 years ago
Whether or not the trap is working is another question. The trap is doing what it is designed to do, however, this unit is also showing what WILL happen if installed outside and in direct contact with water/rain. The trap is cycling too fast and thus has lost effeciency. If you look closely you can see the live steam leaving the trap.
GleasonTech 3 years ago
This very large plant has several hundred of these installed...and tells us that when it rains they have to startup the "RAIN BOILER" which is an auxiliary boiler due to the steam loss from insulation issues and these TD traps blowing. Why wouldn't they want to install thermostatic traps here which aren't affected like the TD traps?
GleasonTech 3 years ago
We sell every type of trap...however proper selection is key. TD traps work well when installed properly. Even ISOTUBs cannot prevent this from happening. I will upload a new video later today showing the ISOTUB installed and the trap doing the same thing.
Also, the bucket in the picture was in place, not added. I guess they had to have a "bucket trap" to back up this Thermodynamic.
GleasonTech 3 years ago
Looks like a Spirax Sarco TD42, and it should be covered with insulation or at least a trap jacket. The water on the cap makes the trap cycle prematurely.
jameshamel 4 years ago
Agreed. If you install TD traps outside they should be installed with a lot of insulation.
However, we all know that at most plants this is not the norm. Why not use a Thermostatic Trap?
GleasonTech 3 years ago
@GleasonTech There are several factors to consider when selecting the type of steam trap for a particular application, such as equipment, condensate loads, pressure ect...
Thermostatic traps are designed to hold condensate until it has cooled to around 180DegF or so, thereby utilizing as much latent heat as possible which makes them excellent choice for radiators, however, this looks like it might be an outside distribution line trap (aka Drip Trap) though it is unclear from the video.
SteamDataNetwork 1 year ago
@SteamDataNetwork: We agree, every trap on the market (for the most part) have their particular applications. All have to be designed and installed properly to work correctly.
One point of contention would be that this is a Thermondynamic trap not a Thermostatic trap. These two traps work on completely different operating principles.
GleasonTech 1 year ago
@SteamDataNetwork Also if you subcool 150 psig condensate which can be in condensate form at 366F to 180F you are simply backing up condensate. Subcool isn't cooling to 180F. That would be bad! Major contributor to waterhammer!
GleasonTech 1 year ago
@SteamDataNetwork Another, consideration would be that although many traps are designed to subcool condensate below saturation temperature, it is not required to remove all of the latent energy. Thermodynamics dictates that when steam changes to form condensate it gives up all of the latent energy, thus there is only sensible energy remaining which if left in the condensate and that can actually will reduce the effiecency of the system.
GleasonTech 1 year ago