Steam Tracer Installations - Trap

The primary purpose of tracer lines is to retain steam until the latent heat content is fully exhausted, then discharge the condensate and any non-condensable gases. Steam traps best suit applications that:

Resist damage from freezing. This is an overriding consideration. If the trap cannot dependably resist damage from freezing, it should not be used in this application.
Are continuous drainers
Conserve energy by operating reliably over a long period of time
Resist wear
Can operate against back pressure
Provide abrupt, periodic discharge to purge condensate and air from the system
Perform well with light loads
Have the ability to handle dirt

Based on these criteria, the inverted bucket (IB) is the best choice for tracer applications. A thermostatic trap or controlled disc trap is an acceptable alternative in some situations; however, the long life of an IB trap should be a primary consideration. No industry can afford wasteful tracer line operation.

	Characteristic	Inverted Bucket	F&T	Disc	Thermostatic	Differential Controller
A	Method of Operation	Intermittent	Continuous	Intermittent	Intermittent	Continuous
B	Energy Conservation (Time in Service)	Excellent	Good	Poor	Fair	Excellent
C	Resists Wear	Excellent	Good	Poor	Fair	Excellent
D	Resists Corrosion	Excellent	Good	Excellent	Good	Excellent
E	Resists Hydraulic Shock	Excellent	Poor	Excellent	Poor	Excellent
F	Vents Air and CO₂ at Steam Temperature	Yes	No	No	No	Yes
G	Vents Air at Very Low Pressure (1/4 psig)(.02 bar)	Poor	Excellent	NR	Good	Excellent
H	Handles Start-up Air Loads	Fair	Excellent	Poor	Excellent	Excellent
I	Operates Against Back Pressure	Excellent	Excellent	Poor	Excellent	Excellent
J	Resists Damage from Freezing	Good	Poor	Good	Good	Good
K	Can Purge System	Excellent	Fair	Excellent	Good	Excellent
L	Performs on Very Light Loads	Excellent	Excellent	Poor	Excellent	Excellent
M	Responds to Slugs of Condensate	Immediate	Immediate	Delayed	Delayed	Immediate
N	Handles Dirt	Excellent	Poor	Poor	Fair	Excellent
O	Comparative Physical Size	Large	Large	Small	Small	Large
P	Handles "Flash Steam"	Fair	Poor	Poor	Poor	Excellent
Q	Mechanical Failure (Open -- Closed)	Open	Closed	Open	Open, Closed	Open


First Choice				Alternative				Overriding condition

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