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Steam Theory

Learn about steam, steam traps, condensate recovery, and more with our steam theory tutorials

1. Basics of Steam

What is Steam?
Principal Applications for Steam
Types of Steam
Flash Steam
How to Read a Steam Table

2. Steam Heating

Heating with Steam
Steam Heating Mechanism
Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient
What is Vacuum Steam?
Tracing the Causes of Heat Maintenance Issues

3. Basics of Steam Traps

What is a Steam Trap?
The History of Steam Traps #1
The History of Steam Traps #2
How Mechanical Traps Work: A Look at their Mechanism and Merits
How Disc Traps Work: A Look at their Mechanism and Merits
How Bimetal-Type Thermostatic Steam Traps Work: A Look at their Mechanisms and Merits

4. Steam Trap Selection

Steam Trap Selection: How Application Affects Selection
Steam Trap Selection: Understanding Specifications
Steam Trap Selection: Safety Factor and Life Cycle Cost
Traps and Orifices Part 1
Traps and Orifices Part 2
Casting vs. Forging
Applications of Different Types of Steam Traps
Don't Get Steamed : Selecting Steam Trap Design
Understanding Steam Traps
Compare Two Fixed Orifice Venturi Products to a Variable Orifice Free Float Steam Trap

5. Steam Trap Problems

Is My Trap Leaking Live Steam?
Temperature Control Trap Precautions
Trap Installation Orientation
Trap Back Pressure
Double Trapping
Group Trapping
Steam Locking
Air Binding
My Steam Trap Is Good - Why Doesn't It Work?

6. Steam Trap Management

Introduction to Steam Trap Management
Steam Trap Losses - what it costs you
A Guide to Steam Trap Testing
Implement a Sustainable Steam Trap Management Program

7. Water Hammer

Water Hammer: What is it?
Water Hammer: The Mechanism
Water Hammer: Cause and Location
Water Hammer: In Steam Distribution Lines
Water Hammer: In Equipment
Water Hammer: In Condensate Transport Piping
Identifying Water Hammer Using a Thermal Camera
Mitigation of Water Hammer in Vertical Flashing Condensate Transport Piping
Stop Knocking Your Condensate Return
Steam Trap Management: Do Something; Anything. Please!

8. Risk Mitigation

Steam System Optimization and Risk Mitigation
Risk Based Methodology for Industrial Steam Systems
Why Bad Things Happen to Good Steam Equipment
Beware of the Dangers of Cold Traps

9. Steam Quality

Wet Steam vs. Dry Steam: The Importance of the Steam Dryness Fraction
Separators and their Role in the Steam System
Clean & Pure Steam
Temperature Problems Caused by Air
Removing Air from Steam Equipment
Air Vents for Steam
Steam Quality Considerations

10. Steam Distribution

Best Practices for Condensate Removal on Steam Lines
Installation Tips for Steam Traps on Steam Mains
Erosion in Steam and Condensate Piping
Corrosion in Steam and Condensate Piping
Allocate New Plant Focus to Steam System Design—Part 1

11. Condensate Recovery

Introduction to Condensate Recovery
Returning Condensate and When to Use Condensate Pumps
Condensate Recovery: Vented vs. Pressurized Systems
Condensate Recovery Piping
What is Stall?
Methods of Preventing Stall
Cavitation in Condensate Pumps
Steam Heat Exchangers are Underworked and Over-Surfaced
Allocate New Plant Focus to Steam System Design—Part 2
Optimize Reboiler Performance via Effective Condensate Drainage

12. Energy Efficiency

Tips to improve steam plant efficiency
Advice on Winter Preparation for Steam Systems
Insulating Traps
Steam Compressors
Why Save Energy?
Management Strategies for Conserving Energy
Recovering Steam Clouds and Waste Heat
Waste Heat Recovery
Boiler Energy Saving Tips
Steam Line Energy Saving Tips
Steam-Using Equipment Energy Saving Tips
Preventing Steam Leaks
Handle Steam More Intelligently
Optimize the Entire Steam System
Use Available Data to Lower System Cost

13. Compressed Air / Gas

Removing Condensate from Compressed Air
Preventing Clogging of Air Traps
Air Compressor Energy Saving Tips
Improving Compressed Air Quality and Countermeasures Against Leaks

14. Other Valves

Types of Manual Valves
Bypass Valves
Check Valve Installation and Benefits
Pressure Reducing Valves for Steam

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Published Articles

Category Article Date Publication
Steam Heating Tracing the Causes of Heat Maintenance Issues 2019/12 CEP, AIChE
Steam Trap Selection Don't Get Steamed : Selecting Steam Trap Design 2003/04 CHE
Steam Trap Selection Understanding Steam Traps 2011/02 CEP, AIChE
Steam Trap Selection Compare Two Fixed Orifice Venturi Products to a Variable Orifice Free Float Steam Trap 2019/11 N/A
Steam Trap Problems My Steam Trap Is Good - Why Doesn't It Work? 2015/04 CEP, AIChE
Steam Trap Management Implement a Sustainable Steam Trap Management Program 2014/01 CEP, AIChE
Water Hammer Stop Knocking Your Condensate Return 2016/11 CEP, AIChE
Water Hammer Steam Trap Management: Do Something; Anything. Please! 2017/10 CEP, AIChE
Risk Mitigation Beware of the Dangers of Cold Traps 2013/03 CEP, AIChE
Risk Mitigation Why Bad Things Happen to Good Steam Equipment 2015/03 CHE
Risk Mitigation Risk Based Methodology for Industrial Steam Systems 2017/06 Inspectioneering Journal
Risk Mitigation Steam System Optimization and Risk Mitigation 2018/05 Hydrocarbon Processing
Steam Distribution Allocate New Plant Focus to Steam System Design—Part 1 2019/01 Hydrocarbon Processing
Steam Quality Steam Quality Considerations 2020/05 CHE
Condensate Recovery Steam Heat Exchangers are Underworked and Over-Surfaced 2004/11 CHE
Condensate Recovery Allocate New Plant Focus to Steam System Design—Part 2 2019/02 Hydrocarbon Processing
Condensate Recovery Optimize Reboiler Performance via Effective Condensate Drainage 2021/07 CEP, AIChE
Energy Efficiency Handle Steam More Intelligently 2006/11 CHE
Energy Efficiency Ask the Experts: Optimize the Entire Steam System 2008/06 CEP, AIChE
Energy Efficiency Use Available Data to Lower System Cost 2011/05 IETC 2011
Compressed Air / Gas Improving Compressed Air Quality and Countermeasures Against Leaks 2014/03 ECCJ