The steam trap regulates the condensate flow throughout any steam system.

A Steam Trap Survey is an in-depth assessment of all steam traps on any given location. This will help determine which areas there are savings in steam to be achieved.

1. Save Energy

Steam traps eliminate condensed steam from boilers and prevent non-condensable gasses. A functional steam trap reduces the energy consumption, which could cause costly energy loss within the boiler system.

Steam Trap Surveys can be a powerful way to identify the traps that are not working or have been damaged. They can be conducted by personnel working on site or contracted out to specialists.

The survey consists of conducting tests on each efficient steam trap to establish the operation. The results are documented and return on investment calculations are possible.

These surveys typically employ the difference in temperature between each trap's input and outlet sides in order to establish the temperature. Ultrasound is another method. These methods give quick and accurate information.

2. Reduce the amount of water wasted

Steam is a powerful energy source which can be utilized for heating raw materials or processing semi-finished products. Steam is also used to power equipment as well as produce electricity.

If condensate builds up on the exterior of a piping line, it can quickly accumulate, thereby making a plant more water-intensive. To keep the piping system running safely and efficiently it is essential to eliminate excess water.

Regularly scheduled efficient steam trap is the ideal way to cut your steam waste and reduce your energy costs, while reducing the risk of serious issues such as water hammer. It is also a key component of a well-run steam maintenance and reliability program.

3. Reduce the cost of maintenance

A steam trap inspection will allow you to cut down on maintenance costs. It will identify steam traps that are not operating properly and will identify any leaks. Leaks like this can be expensive for the plant and can result in issues such as frozen lines, production stoppages, water hammer and unscheduled downtime.

There are a variety of ways to identify the cause of these issues. Temperature readings are a method to determine the state of the trap. They utilize temperature differences to determine the temperature difference between condensate and steam that is leaving or entering the trap.

Another option is to test for ultrasound that detects acoustic signals caused by the movement of steam through an opening. It is a reliable and quick method to identify internal leaks of steam.

4. Enhance Equipment Life

steam trap survey will assist you to evaluate the performance of your trap and identify any issues around traps as part of your proactive trap-management program. These include insulation defects, water hammer condensate return issues, back pressure, and stalling conditions.

This can help you deal with trap issues prior to they escalate into more serious equipment malfunctions. Incorrectly functioning traps can lead to more downtime, higher maintenance costs, and a decrease in equipment life.

A steam trap examination will typically identify faulty or poorly functioning traps that might be leaking, blow-through or plugged, all of which consume energy and cost money. You'll be able to identify which traps need to be replaced or repaired more often to ensure stable system operation.

5. Reduce Noise

The steam trap survey reduces the amount of noise in a building. It also allows a trained technician to hear how well each trap is working.

The past has seen methods like listening devices and optical sight glasses methods for monitoring temperature and ultrasound were used to evaluate the performance of traps. However, all of these methods can become unreliable as conditions in the system change.

Ultrasonic testers provide a rapid and reliable method to detect internal leaks. They are sensitive to frequencies of over 35 kilohertz and can be employed with any type of steam traps including the float-thermostatic and impulse traps.