![]() Sample Guidelines for Drip Leg Dimensions Main Diameter With this type of setup, a blowdown valve is usually installed on the mud leg cover to allow for dirt removal. Also, the connection between the piping and drip leg should be set roughly 50 to 100 mm (2 in to 4 in) from the bottom of the drip leg to help prevent dirt and scale within the condensate from flowing into the trap. Sample guidelines for drip leg sizes are available in the table below. Instead, properly sized, wider piping called a drip leg (collecting leg, or drain pocket) is typically installed to help enable the efficient and effective removal of condensate. However, this practice is not recommended in most cases because if the steam line is of a significantly larger diameter, then it is possible that rapidly flowing condensate cannot easily drop and enter into the rather narrow opening and will instead mostly pass by the collecting leg. In some cases, piping of the same diameter as the steam trap is used to directly connect the trap to the steam line. Steam trap connection sizes for applications other than heating or process typically range between 15 mm (1/2 in) and 25 mm (1 in). Similarly, a steam trap is needed at the end of a pipe run (end of main) to help drain the system for safe and effective operation.Ī steam trap should be set at the bottom of vertical piping sections because dis-entrained condensate can accumulate there due to gravity and directional changes.īest Practice #2: Provide Proper Support and Inclined Steam Piping In Front of Manual Valves Closed for a Long TimeĪ steam trap should be installed in front of valves closed for long periods of time to help eliminate the pooling of condensate which could otherwise be propelled at high speed down the pipeline when the manual valve is opened. Similarly, traps are also generally installed between two pressure reducing valves in a series installation to remove condensate trapped between the valves during operation or shut-off. The trap also helps reduce erosion of the valve seat from condensate. ![]() In Front of Pressure Reducing Valves and Control ValvesĪ steam trap should be installed immediately before pressure reducing valves / control valves to prevent condensate from pooling when the valve is closed. Traps should be installed at 30 to 50 meter (100 to 160 feet) intervals on a steam line. ![]() Steam traps should be installed in the following situations: Every 30 to 50 meters (100 to 160 feet) Special care must also be taken to install steam traps in locations where there is a chance of condensate pooling so that condensate does not close off the cross-sectional pipe area, possibly causing it to be propelled at exceptionally high velocity. The following four "Best Practices" are guidelines to help ensure the smooth discharge of condensate on steam lines and to prevent the occurrence of typical steam system problems such water hammer and air binding.īest Practice #1: Choose Trap Locations CarefullyĮven in cases where a steam distribution piping run is set in a straight line, steam traps should always be installed at least every 30 to 50 meters (100 to 160 ft), and at the bottom of risers or drops. The higher flow velocities in steam lines must therefore also be taken into account during decisions regarding location and design of trap installations. At these speeds, when the cross-sectional area of a pipe section is completely filled by water, slugs of condensate can be carried through the piping at high velocity causing water hammer, which can cause personal injury as well as damage piping, valves, and equipment. The flow of steam is typically much faster in steam distribution piping than in equipment and can reach speeds of over 30 m/s (100 ft/s). To ensure that steam traps operate properly, trap installation methods must be carefully respected and installation locations carefully chosen. There are certain guidelines to follow when installing them on steam lines. Steam traps can't, however, simply be installed any which way and forgotten. In order for this to be achieved, condensate must be removed quickly and efficiently through steam traps installed in proper condensate discharge location (CDL) installations. The role of steam distribution lines is to reliably supply steam of the highest reasonable quality to the steam-using equipment.
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