Difference between a steam trap and condensate trap ? 5

[pvpengg]

Please let me know if i have posted in wrong forum....

First of all, what is condensate trap?

Is there any difference between a steam trap and a condensate trap?

If yes then can anyone help me out with it.

 

[zdas04]

Best I can tell they are both intended to trap condensed liquids. In a steam trap you are trying to collect water condensation. In a condensate trap you're trying to collect condensed hydrocarbon vapors ("condensate" in oil & gas parlayance). Functions are the same, materials may be different (I often see steam traps with a very low MAWP that would not be appropriate on a gas line).

David

 

[rmw]

I am not sure I have heard that distinction unless of course by condensate trap you mean a "P" trap on a condensate well or heater outlet.

A steam trap lets the condensate out of a steam user or a pipeline where condensate may collect. Some steam traps are designed not to open until the condensate subcools (to prevent flashing across the trap) where as some traps let the condensate out when it gets to the trap, even in the saturated condition. Maybe that is what your distinction is.

rmw

 

[hacksaw]

you need to describe the service involved. The are several variant meanings of word "trap"

 

[Montemayor]

A condensate trap is a PHASE separator – usually a liquid phase is separated from a co-mingled vapor phase. The objective is to obtain a separation of phases to enable the subsequent handling of each in a separate and independent manner.

The basic difference between a steam trap and a condensate trap is the mechanical design of each. The process design of separating both the steam and the steam condensate is identical in scope. The mechanical design addresses the need(s) to remove the liquid condensate manually or automatically – and if automatically, in what manner. The conventional steam trap design is approached in basically two different manners:

1) a displacer float to regulate the draining of the condensate while maintaining a liquid seal between the steam system and the external drain target;
2) a thermal sensor device that allows drainage of cooler condensate that collects in the trap;

There are also “thermodynamic" traps that drain in response to velocity changes between compressible steam and incompressible condensate fluids.

A condensate trap only works as a positive liquid draining apparatus. It usually employs a chamber where the condensate collects and is measured in volume or height by a level transmitting device that activates a drain valve in accordance with a pre-set condensate level. In this respect, it works much like the first type of steam trap mentioned above.

In all above cases, the basic idea is the same: remove condensed steam within the system as fast as it is being formed in order to ensure a steady live steam supply within the system.