Comparison of inverted bucket traps with floats

Inverted bucket traps and free float® traps are both mechanical traps. They work on the basis of the density difference between condensate and steam, have a relatively small degree of supercooling, and are suitable for hydrophobicity of heating equipment in production processes.

The minimum subcooling of the inverted bucket trap is 3 5 and the discharge is intermittent. The minimum subcooling degree of the float trap is 0, and it can discharge condensate at saturated temperature, and drain water immediately when there is water, and drain water continuously. There is no water stored in the equipment, which can make the heating equipment achieve the best heat exchange effect.

The contact surface between the valve core and the valve seat of the inverted bucket trap works frequently, the switch collides once, the wear is relatively fast, the connection is more, and the service life is generally 8000 12000 hours. Some manufacturers use cones for connectors, and the working life can reach more than 10 years, and the free float® trap only has a high-precision grinding float as the moving part, and the float floats on the liquid surface during work. When there is little condensate, the float drops with the liquid level, and under the pressure difference between the front and back of the trap, the float floats towards the valve seat and seals the valve hole.

The entire spherical surface of the float can be sealed, and its service life is affected by the accuracy of the float.

Here are some of the well-known brands recognized in the valve industry, which are widely recognized and have a high reputation. While rankings may vary depending on time and market conditions, the following brands are generally considered to be among the top brands in the valve industry:

The following are the top ten domestic first-line valve brand manufacturers in 2022-2023, but for reference only: Suzhou Neway Valve Co., Ltd., Shanghai Guanlong Valve Machinery, Shanghai Qizhong Valve Manufacturing, Sanhua, Su Yan, Shentong, Su Valve, Nanfang, Jiang.

First, the word Yao. The above manufacturers are only estimates and references, and the specific situation may vary or fluctuate at any time due to changes in a series of factors such as changes in the market, the size of the competition pattern, and the stability of product quality. As an indispensable key device in industrial production and civil facilities, the quality and reputation of the valve brand directly affect the satisfaction and trust of users.

These brands are known in the valve industry for their innovative technology, high-quality products and reliability. It is important to note that the market and industry are evolving rapidly, and different rankings may vary depending on time and region. For the most up-to-date ranking information, it is recommended to refer to industry reports, professional organizations or market research data for more detailed and accurate information.

Inverted bucket trap, the meaning of the inverted bucket is that the pontoon is installed downward at the opening of Kaizhou dismantling, so it is an upside-down book of loose jujube buckets.

If the opening is installed upwards, it will not be right, and it will not block the air and drainage. Lost the function of the trap.

After reading the following introduction, you should understand:

1. Working principle of inverted bucket steam trap:

In principle, an inverted bucket trap is a float or bucket type and can be distinguished between steam and condensate, as the density of the two is different. Look**, the structure is installed in order.

When the device is just started, the air and low-temperature condensate in the pipeline enter the trap, the inverted bucket falls by its own weight, and the inverted bucket connects the lever to drive the valve core to open the valve, and the air and low-temperature condensate are quickly discharged. When the steam enters the inverted bucket, the steam of the inverted bucket generates upward buoyancy, and the inverted bucket rises to connect the lever to drive the valve core to close the valve. There is a small hole in the inverted bucket, when a part of the steam is discharged from the small hole, and the other part of the steam produces condensate, the inverted bucket loses its buoyancy and sinks down by its own weight.

2. A small hole opened at the upper end of the inverted bucket steam trap is used to remove air and other gases (the purpose is to prevent gas locks), but at the same time it will cause a small part of the steam to leak, but because the hole is very small, it will not leak a lot, 3 -5 bar; After the steam condensate is removed, the steam is followed by the trap when it encounters steam (the steam of the inverted bucket produces upward buoyancy, and the inverted bucket rises to connect the lever to drive the valve core to close the valve), the trap will be closed, and then the steam continues to condense into condensate, and continues to be discharged... And so on.

3. There are many kinds of traps, including: thermostatic, thermodynamic, mechanical, inverted bucket steam traps belong to the mechanical type, which was first invented by Armstrong in the United States, and is also the main promotion of Armstrong, this kind of trap has many drawbacks, and it is basically not used in Europe, and it will leak if it is not energy-saving, such as: Gestra, Spirax Sarco, ARI and other traps are basically not produced.

4. Disadvantages of inverted bucket type steam traps:

A: The small hole at the top of the inverted bucket trap cannot distinguish whether it is still steam, so there will be live steam loss;

B: Since the discharge of condensate from this trap is intermittent, the discharge capacity is significantly smaller compared to its volume;

c: This kind of trap has a complex connection structure, serious wear and tear, and a low service life;

d: Sudden changes in working conditions will cause it to deviate from the applicable state, which will cause the loss of live steam;

e: This kind of trap structure is sealed and not easy to maintain;

F: It is sensitive to the accumulation of rust and has caused damage.

The small hole at the top of the inverted bucket trap cannot distinguish whether it is still steam, so there will be a loss of live steam;

Since the discharge of condensate from this trap is intermittent, the discharge capacity is significantly smaller compared to its volume;

This kind of trap has a complex connection structure, serious wear and tear, and a low service life;

Sudden changes in working conditions will cause them to deviate from the applicable state, which will cause the loss of live steam;

This kind of trap structure is sealed and not easy to maintain;

It is sensitive to the accumulation of rust and has caused damage.

Hope it helps!!

That's a lot of points!

The working principle and circulation process of the inverted bucket trap can be understood from **.

There is a small hole at the top of the inverted bucket, which is used to remove the non-condensable gas in the barrel, in order to prevent the trap from causing gas lock-up (of course, there will be a small part of the steam leaked, but due to the small pore size and the pressure head is only a few centimeters, the steam released becomes condensate after heat loss, and this leakage is negligible).

If there is no condensate in the pipe, the subsequent steam will be replenished, the inverted bucket will remain in a floating state, and the valve disc will continue to close;

If there is condensate in the pipe, of course, there is no steam to make up for it, and the liquid level gradually rises to the point that the bucket sinks and opens the valve disc to drain the water.

How it works**:

There are generally three types of traps, namely thermodynamic traps, mechanical traps (inverted bucket traps, float traps) and thermostatic traps.

How an inverted bucket trap works

How float traps work

The internal bucket of the inverted bucket Shudeni lead water valve is open, so it is resistant to water hammer and can withstand high steam pressure.

The float of the float trap is airtight, prone to water hammer rupture, and has a relatively low pressure resistance.

The inverted bucket trap has a built-in filter, which does not require additional filters, saving installation costs and space.

Float traps do not have a built-in filter, so a separate filter must be installed, which increases the cost and installation space.

Inverted bucket traps can be supplied with a built-in check valve for use in condensate** systems with back pressure.

Float traps do not have a built-in check valve, and condensate** systems must be fitted with a separate check valve, increasing cost and installation space.

Inverted bucket trap failure stateThe trap is in a fully open state, and the pipeline or equipment will not produce water accumulation, so it will not affect production.

The float trap is in a closed state, and the pipeline or equipment generates water accumulation, which affects production.

Inverted bucket traps are resistant to dirt and waste. The spool and seat are located at the top of the trap, so it is not easy to scale and clog with garbage.

The spool and seat of the float trap are located at the bottom, which is easy to be clogged by debris such as garbage.

The valve core and seat of the inverted bucket trap can be self-grinding during use, and the sealing performance is better, and the longer it is used, the better the sealing.

The spool and seat of the float trap do not have self-grinding function, especially the free float® is difficult to seal. (If the sealing is good, the float must be processed very round, and the mass of each point is evenly distributed, otherwise there is no way to seal, which is very difficult, of course, to achieve this requirement, ** is also quite expensive.) ）

Inverted bucket traps have a low failure rate and internal parts are not prone to failure.

The failure rate of float traps is high, the internal floats are easy to break, and the thermostatic exhaust valves are prone to loose closure and steam leakage.

Wheels on Lindweit steam system knowledge sharing

In general, the displacement of a trap is not directly related to the caliber. The selection of steam traps cannot be decided according to the caliber.

For example, Armstrong's inverted bucket trap has different drainage capacity for different models, the smallest is about 200kg h, the largest is about 10000kg h, and the diameter can be done according to the user's requirements (only the connection flange is replaced); TLV's Free Float® Traps, J3, J5, J7, different types have different drainage and erection amounts, the smallest is about 200kg h, the largest is about 10000kg h;

However, there are also manufacturers that produce traps arranged according to the caliber, such as Spirax Sarco's FT43 lever float trap, DN25 below the single seat, the displacement is less than 2000kg h, DN is double seat, the displacement can reach 20 30t h; Above DN65 is double seat, double valve body, and the displacement can reach 60-70t h......

And can provoke and hold back the feet.