Steam Trap Issues

[JonChristiansen]

I wanted to post a quick, general question about steam traps. We have four steam traps coming from our brew system, and they seem to leak very often. They have to be taken off and sprayed cleaned very often. This problem seems to be affecting OTHER problems with our boiler as well. Anyone else have issues with steam traps? Are they needed things? Also, where do you purchase replacement steam traps....? Thanks in advance
Jon Christiansen
Lucette Brewing Co
Menomonie, WI

[BigWilley]

Im no boiler expert, but make sure what you think is leaking is not simply the trap purging as some are designed to do that at intervals. If its leaking all around or constantly you may have a bad gasket. Grainger and Mcmaster Carr have them but Im not sure how thier prices are. If your strainers and traps constantly need to be cleaned you may have to look at boiler water chemistry and possibly descaling the whole thing.

[sbradt]

What kind of steam traps do you have. The most current and effective style is supposed to be the float and thermostatic type traps. They use a thermostat, very similar to the thermostat in the engine block in your car only backwards, which allows air to purge through the steam jackets until the steam comes through and closes the stat. After that the float valve allows the accumulated condensate to pass but not the steam. We had a lot of problems with the thermostatic part of ours failing early on. We've had a lot less trouble since we a: started treating our boiler water and b:started leaving the boiler on 24/7 instead of shutting it down when it wasn't in use. Parts for steam traps can probably be sourced through a local HVAC supply shop like CD Jones.

[liammckenna]

Check here (Spirax-Sarco) for everything you ever wanted to know about steam traps.

Make sure you have the right one for the job. It'll save you lot's of grief and probably save you money on the energy side as well.

Good luck,

Pax.

Liam