Steam Basics Part 14: Why Steam Traps Can't Lift Condensate

Steam Basics Part 14: Why Steam Traps Can't Lift Condensate

Don’t lift the condensate out of a steam heat exchanger or coil with a modulating control valve! Over the last several weeks we have made this declaration several times. Once again, a voice in the wilderness has cried out....

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Steam Basics Part 10: Understanding the Thermostatic Portion of a F & T Trap

Steam Basics Part 10: Understanding the Thermostatic Portion of a F & T Trap

Steam traps play a very important role in steam systems. Last week, we discussed how the float portion of a float and thermostatic (F&T) steam trap operates. This week, we will explore the operation of...

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Steam Basics Part 9: Steam Trap Operation

Steam Basics Part 9: Steam Trap Operation

When discussing steam heating and steam heat exchanger basics, an important component for proper operation is the steam trap. At times, it feels like steam trap selection and sizing is more of an art than a science...

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Steam Basics Part 5: Condensate Drop Leg and Pipe Size

Steam Basics Part 5: Condensate Drop Leg and Pipe Size

A few weeks ago we discussed the steam pipe size entering a shell and tube heat exchanger, also called a convertor. This week we turn our attention to the condensate outlet. A customer recently asked, “I was told to pipe a 14-inch condensate drop leg from the bottom of a steam-to-water heat exchanger to the F&T trap inlet. What happens if I ...?”

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