One of a series.
Some Things to Think About Steam Traps . . . in order to get high operating efficiency and a minimum of maintenance The gentleman who invented the wheel had a basic idea and so far no one has come u p with anything better for the purpose. If you'll pardon us for a little overemphasis on the significance of steam traps, we'd like to liken one of them to the wheel. In 1911, when the first Armstrong inverted bucket steam trap model was announced to the world, or at least that part of the world that modest advertising and sales budgets would cover, it was not received with equal enthusiasm by all (especially old-style trap makers). But, like the wheel, it managed to find its way into general use. And, nothing better has ever turned u p for the purpose of draining condensate. As a matter of fact, the Armstrong trap has been very widely copied. Today, there are more inverted bucket traps draining process equipment than any other kind. Of these, there are more Armstrongs. If this sounds like the boasting of a proud parent, give consideration to some fundamental requirements not met by all traps: 1. A steam trap should not leak steam. Some traps do, you know, because of the nature of their operating principle. No steam ever gets to the Armstrong trap orifice. The valve is always water sealed. 2. A steam trap should vent "air" as fast as it accumulates— otherwise temperatures are reduced and corrosion is a problem. The Armstrong trap handles air very nicely. The vent in the bucket permits air to accumulate in the top of the trap, from where it is discharged when the trap opens. For extreme conditions like draining paper machine dryers, some Jacketed kettles and certain other units, the vent is sized larger for the job. And, for handling big volumes of air during warm-up, a bucket with an auxiliary thermic ; vent really speeds u p heating. 3. A steam trap should discharge condensate at steam temperature if you want to get
ED STEAM CONDENSATE Trap closed. Steam has floated inverted bucket; valve is held tightly closed by system pressure. Air entering trap passes through bucket vent and accumulates at top of trap.
maximum efficiency from the unit drained. And most people certainly do. If you have to wait for the condensate to cool, it's almost impossible to maintain maximum temperatures and prevent air build-up. You guessed it—the Armstrong trap opens for water, without dependence on temperature. 4. A steam trap should be suitable for any return system. The Armstrong trap works just the same whether discharging to atmosphere, back pressure or vacuum. It has been conclusively proved that flash steam resulting from use of a bucket trap does not cause a problem in vacuum return systems. The flash condenses rapidly. It's the leaky traps that cause the headaches. 5. A steam trap should not be a "prima donna". Some kinds of traps take an awful lot of care and coddling. The Armstrong trap is a rough and ready type with a hardened chrome steel constitution (valve and seat, to be exact). It cleans itself of ordinary dirt and scale without choking up. Its 18-8 stainless parts stave off rust and corrosion. It resists wire-drawing and wear remarkably well. In fact,
Trap open. Condensate entering trap has caused bucket to lose buoyancy. Weight of bucket times leverage pulls valve open. Air is discharged along with condensate.
it stays on the job longer with less attention than any trap ever produced. Unless you live in Siberia, you can probably find a user around the corner who will tell you so from experience. 6. A trap should not be an "orphan". With Armstrong traps you can always get prompt service and parts from nearby Factory Representatives and stocking distributors as well as from the factory. 7. A trap should have a guarantee. The Armstrong trap is unconditionally guaranteed to give you complete satisfaction (as to doing its job, that is). If it doesn't, you can get your money back. If you'd like to buy some of these excellent steam traps, call your local Armstrong Representative or write Armstrong Machine Works, 9705 Maple St., Three Rivers, Michigan. ASK FOR the 44-page Steam Trap Book, free on request without obligation.
ARMSTRONG STEAM TRAPS
For further information, circle number 77 A on Readers' Service Card, page 119 A
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