Back pressure issue with the steam trap
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What type of check valve has the highest back pressure?
Thermodynamic type steam trap: Allows back pressure to be 50% or less of the inlet pressure； Among them, the pulsed type should be no less than 25%. Thermostatic type steam trap: The allowable back pressure of the valve is not less than 30%. Mechanical steam traps: They have a strong resistance to back pressure; they can tolerate a back pressure of over 95% of the inlet pressure, with the allowable back pressure level being no less than 80% ；
It depends on the system pressure connected behind the steam trap!
The back pressure of a steam trap does not depend on the trap itself, but rather on the system pressure of the condensate pipes and equipment downstream of the trap. It can only be determined which type of steam trap is capable of withstanding the maximum allowable back pressure. In closed condensate recovery systems, the condensate is not discharged directly into an open condensate tank, but rather into a sealed, pressurized tank; as a result, the back pressure increases. For processes involving large amounts of condensate, high heat exchange temperatures, or situations where the equipment cannot tolerate excessive cooling, free-ball and lever-ball type steam traps must be used. Free-floating and lever-type float valves utilize the density difference between condensate water and steam; changes in the level of condensate water cause the float to rise or fall, which in turn moves the valve disc open or closed to prevent steam from passing while allowing water to flow out. As a result, they can tolerate a relatively high back pressure.
Disk type: 50% (actual measurement is only 20%), pulse type: 25%, thermostatic type: 50%, mechanical force type: 85%