3 replies to this topic

[CHE Guy17]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could just give me a few lines on the difference between stream traps and condensate separators? From my understanding they both seem to do the same job, ie remove condensate from a steam stream.
Any information would be helpful.

Thanks

[tarafdar]

Hi,
There is a big difference between Steam traps and Condensate Seperators.
A Steam trap is a device used to discharge condensate and non-condensables(like air & CO2) from a steam system automatically as quickly as they are accumulated.It assures retention of steam within the system while removing condensate & non-condensables.
Whereas Condensate Seperator is a vapour-liquid seperator.It is a vertical vessel where the vapour travels upward with such a velocity as to have little or no entrainment and the liquid settles at the bottom by gravity from where it is withdrawn.The vessel is also called Knock-out Drum,Fash-Drum,Interstage Seperator etc.

[kkala]

I think the info of wikipedia that steamtraps are used to remove condensate and non condensables(http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Steam_trap) is not precise concerning non condensables (air, etc). Air vents are main removers of non condensables. Steamtraps let some steam escape along with some non condensables, but main purpose of steamtraps is condensate removal. You can look at http://www.plantengi...79fa6a7fd7.html.
Steam traps have sometimes upstream vents for air removal during start up. Steam traps with vents on them have been seen in old sketches (not on field).

Edited by kkala, 26 August 2011 - 03:55 AM.

[AZIZ_MN]

Hi,
Steam traps are machanical units and that function on density and temperature principle to remove condensate from steam lines or reboiler,and where as condensate drums is simple vertical vessel they don't have any internals or machanism like steam traps but simply working on pressure difference where steam condensate comes from reboiler, vapour- liquid gets separate in condesate drum, vapour will be balanced with reboiler steam inlet and condensate willbe transfered to low pressure condensate recovery system by level controller certain level to be maintain in condensate drum to avoid steam breakthough.