ABSTRACT
Energy in steam consists of sensible and latent heat. It is apparent that a significant amount of heat is invested in bringing water up to boiling temperature. This sensible energy may be lost through a phenomena known as “Flashing” when hot condensate is formed at a high pressure and escapes to a lower pressure through the steam trapping system. Bellows type thermostatic steam traps can be used as automatic air vents on heat exchange equipment. Air and non-condensibles in the system tend to be lighter than the steam and accumulate in quiet zones. If installed at these locations, the thermostatic device can sense the temperature reduction caused by the air. Steam users seem to be fully aware of the need to insulate hot surfaces to prevent heat loss. Insulation pays for itself quite quickly, but insulating steam piping means not only the main piping, but also the unions, flanges, valve bodies, steam traps and everything else that is hot.
