Steam equipment generally provides the highest heat transfer when steam is the only fluid supplying heat. properly operate the boiler, and do not operate it above its design capacityĭrain condensate fast.A few practices will help you produce high-quality, dry steam: Supplying less-than-optimal steam can reduce production by slowing heat transfer and/or lowering the steam temperature, and can cause dangerous safety or reliability events. Steam is the primary heat source for production. Optimizing it can have significant performance benefits.Ī steam system ( Figure 1) has four main sections that:įor the steam system to function optimally, it must supply dry steam, drain condensate fast, and return condensate. A steam system provides process heat and power. The article first reviews the destructive effects of condensate buildup and water hammer, and then explains why steam trap management is critical. This article, inspired by a presentation given at the Industrial Energy Technology Conference (IETC, New Orleans, LA, June 2015) (1), describes how a more pro-active steam trap management regimen can be economically justified. However, the investment needed to maintain a high-quality steam system through a proactive and sustainable trap management program is easily justified. If a site fails to implement a steam trap maintenance regimen, it may experience steam quality deterioration, expensive steam leakages, or even water hammer in its steam supply lines, which has the potential to cause severe damage to equipment and piping and unscheduled plant shutdown.Įven so, many sites do not have a regular steam trap maintenance program in place. In turn, the steam system can directly impact the plant’s production and profit. A robust steam trap management program will help you maintain steam system reliability and avoid water hammer damage.Ī plant’s steam trap population can have a significant and direct impact on the heating capability of its steam system.
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