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 13: Control Schemes for Steam Condensate Lift

Steam Basics Part 13: Control Schemes for Steam Condensate Lift

Over the last few weeks we've examined the trap sizing out of a heat exchanger or coil with a modulating control valve. This week we turn our attention to the heat exchanger, or coil piping, after the steam trap. Often, the gravity condensate return main is installed overhead and there is a temptation to...

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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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