Types of Steam Trap Valves
The valve that automatically discharges condensate and prevents steam from passing through is called a steam trap valve. A steam trap valve is an automatic regulating valve that can automatically discharge condensed water and prevent steam from passing through. Steam trap valves, also known as steam trap and drain valves. Steam trap valves include floating bucket type, pulse type, disc type (thermal power type), floating ball type, inverted bucket type (bell float type) and corrugated pipe type steam traps.
(1) Floating bucket steam trap valves
The bucket-shaped float of the floating bucket steam trap valve is arranged with the opening facing upwards. When steam is started, the generated condensate is pushed by steam pressure and flows into the surrounding area of the bucket inside the steam trap valve. As the amount of condensate increases, it gradually flows into the bucket. When the amount of water stored in the floating bucket reaches the specified amount, the bucket loses its buoyancy and sinks, opening the valve disc connected to the bucket. The water in the bucket is discharged through the water collection pipe and the outlet of the steam trap valve. After most of the condensed water in the floating bucket is discharged, the bucket regains buoyancy and floats upwards, closing the steam trap valve.
(2) Pulse-type steam trap valves
Pulse-type steam trap valve has a small volume, small mass, compact structure, continuous pulse drainage, and large drainage capacity. The requirement for steam quality is high, otherwise, it is easy to block the valve disc hole. During operation, a very small amount of steam enters the drainage pipeline through the orifice. This type of steam trap valve is suitable for places with a working pressure less than and equal to 2.5MPa and medium temperature t less than and equal to 225℃.
(3) Disc-type steam trap valves
The disc-type steam trap valve has a small volume, small mass, simple structure, convenient installation and maintenance, easy air removal, and also has the function of a check valve. The addition of insulation structure greatly improves the wear and tear of valve seats and discs caused by environmental impact. Its disadvantage is that when the condensate water volume is small or the pressure difference between the front and back is too small, continuous air leakage will occur. The filter is prone to blockage and needs to be cleaned regularly. This kind of drain valve can be used in general heating systems.
(4) Inverted bucket type (bell float type) steam trap valves
The inverted bucket steam trap valve has good air blocking and drainage performance, small quality, and is not easy to accumulate sediment inside the bucket, making it easier to discharge air. Especially after adopting a floating pivot structure and all moving parts made of stainless steel, it has a long service life, good starting performance, and low noise. This type of steam trap valve is suitable for places with working pressure less than 0.6MPa, medium temperature 170℃, and large drainage capacity.
(5) Floating ball steam trap valves
There are various forms of floating ball steam trap valves: lever floating ball steam trap valves have a simple structure and good drainage and gas blocking effect. The floating ball of the free floating ball steam trap valve is both a structural component and an opening and closing component, achieving automatic discharge and closing of the steam trap valve.
(6) Bellows-type steam trap valves
The operating element of the bellows-type steam trap valve, also known as the temperature sensing element, is a bellows. This corrugated tube is shaped like a small lantern and is a retractable sealed metal container with a wall thickness of 0.1 to 0.2mm, which contains water or volatile liquids such as alcohol and ether, with a lower boiling point than water. This type of corrugated pipe undergoes significant changes in shape as the liquid temperature changes. There is a valve disc at the bottom of the corrugated pipe (in most cases, the valve disc is integrated with the corrugated pipe), and the expansion and contraction of the corrugated pipe cause the valve disc to close and leave the valve port, thereby causing the steam trap valve to close and open.
(7) Bimetallic plate steam trap valves
This valve utilizes the comprehensive principles of thermal static and thermal power, with good gas blocking, drainage, and exhaust performance. It is also equipped with an automatic adjustment screw, with a wide adjustment range.
(8) Adjustable thermal expansion steam trap valves
This valve has good closing performance, only draining without exhaust, no air leakage, no noise, can automatically remove air, and has a long service life.
(1) Floating bucket steam trap valves
The bucket-shaped float of the floating bucket steam trap valve is arranged with the opening facing upwards. When steam is started, the generated condensate is pushed by steam pressure and flows into the surrounding area of the bucket inside the steam trap valve. As the amount of condensate increases, it gradually flows into the bucket. When the amount of water stored in the floating bucket reaches the specified amount, the bucket loses its buoyancy and sinks, opening the valve disc connected to the bucket. The water in the bucket is discharged through the water collection pipe and the outlet of the steam trap valve. After most of the condensed water in the floating bucket is discharged, the bucket regains buoyancy and floats upwards, closing the steam trap valve.
(2) Pulse-type steam trap valves
Pulse-type steam trap valve has a small volume, small mass, compact structure, continuous pulse drainage, and large drainage capacity. The requirement for steam quality is high, otherwise, it is easy to block the valve disc hole. During operation, a very small amount of steam enters the drainage pipeline through the orifice. This type of steam trap valve is suitable for places with a working pressure less than and equal to 2.5MPa and medium temperature t less than and equal to 225℃.
(3) Disc-type steam trap valves
The disc-type steam trap valve has a small volume, small mass, simple structure, convenient installation and maintenance, easy air removal, and also has the function of a check valve. The addition of insulation structure greatly improves the wear and tear of valve seats and discs caused by environmental impact. Its disadvantage is that when the condensate water volume is small or the pressure difference between the front and back is too small, continuous air leakage will occur. The filter is prone to blockage and needs to be cleaned regularly. This kind of drain valve can be used in general heating systems.
(4) Inverted bucket type (bell float type) steam trap valves
The inverted bucket steam trap valve has good air blocking and drainage performance, small quality, and is not easy to accumulate sediment inside the bucket, making it easier to discharge air. Especially after adopting a floating pivot structure and all moving parts made of stainless steel, it has a long service life, good starting performance, and low noise. This type of steam trap valve is suitable for places with working pressure less than 0.6MPa, medium temperature 170℃, and large drainage capacity.
(5) Floating ball steam trap valves
There are various forms of floating ball steam trap valves: lever floating ball steam trap valves have a simple structure and good drainage and gas blocking effect. The floating ball of the free floating ball steam trap valve is both a structural component and an opening and closing component, achieving automatic discharge and closing of the steam trap valve.
(6) Bellows-type steam trap valves
The operating element of the bellows-type steam trap valve, also known as the temperature sensing element, is a bellows. This corrugated tube is shaped like a small lantern and is a retractable sealed metal container with a wall thickness of 0.1 to 0.2mm, which contains water or volatile liquids such as alcohol and ether, with a lower boiling point than water. This type of corrugated pipe undergoes significant changes in shape as the liquid temperature changes. There is a valve disc at the bottom of the corrugated pipe (in most cases, the valve disc is integrated with the corrugated pipe), and the expansion and contraction of the corrugated pipe cause the valve disc to close and leave the valve port, thereby causing the steam trap valve to close and open.
(7) Bimetallic plate steam trap valves
This valve utilizes the comprehensive principles of thermal static and thermal power, with good gas blocking, drainage, and exhaust performance. It is also equipped with an automatic adjustment screw, with a wide adjustment range.
(8) Adjustable thermal expansion steam trap valves
This valve has good closing performance, only draining without exhaust, no air leakage, no noise, can automatically remove air, and has a long service life.
