May I ask whether for steam tracing pipes, steam is connected to the starting end of the main pipe with a drain valve installed at the end, or should one be installed at intervals along the pipe...
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Should the steam tracing pipe be connected to steam at the starting end of the main pipe with a drain valve installed at the end, or should drain valves be installed at regular intervals along the pipe? ? How did you do it?
One should be installed at regular intervals; we used to set one every 100 meters. If no such installations are made in between, there is a risk of water accumulation and freezing. It should also be connected to the steam tracing station. If there is no such station, a valve should be installed after the steam is introduced from the main pipe, ensuring that no condensate accumulates at the base of the valve
It depends on the heat tracing requirements; generally, a drain valve is installed at the end. If high requirements apply, a steam trap can also be installed along the pipeline.
SHT 3040-2012 can be referred to. Generally, hydrophobic treatment is needed at the low points; it doesn’t cause any problems and the results are good, it’s just an extra cost ； The pipeline is too long, so hydrophobic treatment is also needed in the middle. If the U-shaped low point is not high and the material is not delicate, it can be saved. It depends on your budget and your material requirements~
It is generally installed at the end; if the pipeline is long, you can create some buffer tanks in the same shape as filters, with a drainage outlet at the bottom.
Referencing the heat tracing specifications, the design institute will follow these specifications in its work
It is generally recommended to set it at a low value, around 50M. In the past, the steam and water mixture coming out of the steam trap was discharged directly; now it is recommended to use advanced steam traps that only discharge water and not steam, with all of the condensate being recovered.
Does the steam trap also discharge water along with steam?
Let me share my opinion: if there is a large temperature difference between the heat tracing pipeline and the material being heated, I recommend installing heat tracing along the entire length of the pipeline. If too much condensate is generated, it may not be possible to drain it in time, resulting in the downstream heat tracing pipelines not receiving enough heat. Moreover, in low-temperature environments, pipeline condensate can freeze, and in severe cases, the pipelines may even crack. I hope my answer is helpful to you