Pumping Trap

The Armstrong pump trap is a non-electric mechanical condensate pump, which utilizes steam or compressed air to return valuable steam condensate.

The illustration above depicts a closed loop system where valuable flash steam is captured and re-uses valuable Btu. On a modulating system, the heat exchanger pressure may at some point exceed the return line pressure. When the system pressure exceeds the return line pressure, condensate will enter the pump vessel to the steam trap. If the steam trap has sufficient pressure differential, it will function normally and discharge condensate to the return line. When system pressure modulates below the return line pressure, the steam trap will cease to function, as there will be insufficient pressure differential at the steam trap and condensate will begin to back up into the pump trap body. As the liquid level rises, the float will actuate the valve mechanism, allowing steam to enter the pump body and discharge the condensate return. The pump trap and steam trap combination ensure drainage at all system pressures, including vacuum.