ANALYSIS OF STEAM TRAPS A T PROCESS PLANTS

In most of the process industries, high pressure steam is utilized for many applications . The steam is produced in the boilers and carried through steam pipe lines to the process plants. During their travel through these pipelines , loss may occur due to loss of pressure, pipe line insulation failures and loss of temperature. These are known as losses in steam network. This reduces steam efficiency , thus the quality of steam becomes low at the receiving end. Steam Traps are automatic valves designed to trap steam and remove condensate from the steam lines . Thus a perfect steam trap can minimise steam loss and thus maximise the steam efficiency and quality . The project is focused at steam trap analysis and rectification in the industry through a n exhaustive study of steam network. Based on the study, steam loss is calculated. Thus the investment and its payback period for the company is also calculated. O bv iously , the longer an efficient trap lasts, the more it reduces energy wasted, fuel burned and pollutants released into the air. The benefits are energy savings and a cleaner, improved environment.