
Mains drainage applications often only need to be fitted with low capacity versions, provided proper consideration is given to siting the drain pockets correctly. Oversize thermodynamic steam traps can increase cycle time and cause in wear of trap.If this is a problem, it can easily be fitted with a diffuser which considerably reduces the discharge noise. outside a hospital ward or operating theatre. The discharge of the trap can be noisy and this factor may prohibit the use of a thermodynamic trap in some locations, e.g.Modern thermodynamic steam traps can have an inbuilt anti-air-binding disc which prevents air pressure building up on top of the disc and allows air to escape.In this case a separate thermostatic air vent can be fitted in parallel with the trap.

However, rapid pressure build-up will cause high velocity air to shut the trap in the same way as steam, and it will ‘air-bind’. Thermodynamic traps can discharge a large amount of air on ‘start-up’ if the inlet pressure builds up slowly.They can withstand a maximum back pressure of 80% of the inlet pressure. They require a minimum inlet pressure of typically 0.25 bar g. So thermodynamic steam traps will not work properly on very low differential pressures. Higher velocity requires higher pressure differential. To close the disc inside thermodynamic steam trap, low pressure is required below the disc which is possible only if velocity of flow below the disc is high.This makes trap testing very easy and straightforward.ĭisadvantages of thermodynamic steam trap Thermodynamic steam traps makes an audible ‘click’ which occurs during tap opening and closing.As the disc is the only moving part, maintenance can easily be carried out without removing the trap from the line by just removing the top cap, which is bolted or threaded.However, operation in this position may result in wear of the disc edge. Thermodynamic steam traps are not damaged by freezing of condensate and are unlikely to freeze if installed with the disc in a vertical plane and discharging freely to atmosphere.Lower limit for calculation: -90 C, 0.015 bar bar upper limit: 100 C, 39 bar. Calculation of thermodynamic state variables of Tetrafluorethan - R134a in saturation state, boiling curve.


Lower limit for calculation: -70 C, 1 bar upper limit: 180 C, 300 bar.
