Steam Traps

Definition

Mechanical valves that sense the difference between steam and liquid water, letting condensate pass while holding steam in the system. They are the gatekeepers of condensate return.

When a trap fails open, steam blows through continuously and wastes energy directly, and when it fails closed, condensate backs up in the line, causing water hammer and preventing return to the feedwater system. Both failure modes are common, expensive, and often undetected for months because traps are scattered in places nobody inspects. Steam trap audits are among the highest-return maintenance activities in any steam plant.

Related concepts

Condensate Return · Steam-Condensate Loop · Water Hammer

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🛠️ operations