1. Remove Dirt Dirt is one of the most common problem areas. Dirt, scale, or foreign material finds its way to the traps and often damages the valve seat, preventing it from closing properly and leading to leakages. 2. Upstream strainers Strainers provided for handling dirt and other material before it reaches the traps must be maintained properly. 3. Install sight glasses Sight glasses, fitted after the traps, permit visual identification of blowing traps and need to be properly taken care of. 4. Proper trap selection If the trap selected is not the appropriate type and size for the given application, significant losses take place. 5. Visual check according to the type 1. Inverted bucket and thermodynamic traps should have intermittent condensate discharge. 2. Float and thermostatic traps should have a continuous condensate discharge. 6. Detect steam leakage Flash steam and leaking steam are not the same. Leaking steam is continuous, like an exhaust, while flash steam is intermittent and like a cloud. 7. Ultrasonic and thermal testing Mechanisms within the traps produce sonic and ultrasonic sounds due to passage of condensate and steam. Using suitable listening devices, ranging from a simple screwdriver, a mechanic’s stethoscope, or an ultrasonic trap tester, a trap monitoring system can be established in an industry. Similarly, temperature sensing by contact and non-contact devices can help to monitor trap performance.

1. Strainers provided for handling dirt and other
material before it reaches the traps must be
maintained properly.
UPSTREAM STRAINERS
If the trap selected is not the appropriate type
and size for the given application, significant
losses take place.
PROPER TRAP SELECTION
1. Inverted bucket and thermodynamic traps
should have intermittent condensate
discharge.
2. Float and thermostatic traps should have a
continuous condensate discharge.
VISUAL CHECK ACCORDING
TO THE TYPE
Detect steam leakage
Flash steam and leaking steam are not the
same. Leaking steam is continuous, like an
exhaust, while flash steam is intermittent and
like a cloud.
DETECT STEAM LEAKAGE
Mechanisms within the traps produce sonic
and ultrasonic sounds due to passage of
condensate and steam. Using suitable listening
devices, ranging from a simple screwdriver, a
mechanic’s stethoscope, or an ultrasonic trap
tester, a trap monitoring system can be
established in an industry.
ULTRASONIC AND THERMAL
TESTING
360 Proactive Engineer Presents
7 ENERGY
EFFICIENCY TIPS
FOR STEAM TRAP
MONITORING AND
MAINTENANCE
A simple and effective Tips to improve
energy efficiency awareness.
Please share it with others.
Sight glasses, fitted after the traps, permit
visual identification of blowing traps and need
to be properly taken care of.
INSTALL SIGHT GLASSES
Dirt is one of the most common problem areas.
Dirt, scale, or foreign material finds its way to
the traps and often damages the valve seat,
preventing it from closing properly and leading
to leakages.
REMOVE DIRT
For more practical tips on Energy savings and Energy efficiency,
visit www.360proactiveengineer.com