- Steam Theory
- 1. Basics of Steam
- 2. Steam Heating
- 3. Basics of Steam Traps
- 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
- 6. Steam Trap Management
- 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
- 9. Steam Quality
- 10. Steam Distribution
- 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
- 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
- 14. Other Valves
Preventing Steam Leaks
Contents:
Locations of Steam Leaks
In plants that have been constructed to consume as little energy as possible, it is rare to find steam leaking from pipes and valves. However, even in such plants, steam will start to leak after a few years as gaskets, fittings, and other areas age, unless these areas are regularly inspected and maintained. Without proper maintenance, the number of leaks and the volume of leaked steam will only increase.
The locations where steam leaks are most commonly found are:
- Pipe fittings
- Valves
- Steam traps
Leaks from valves and steam traps can be further divided into external leaks, such as those from gland packing, and internal leaks, where steam escapes through the seat and into the outlet.
Preventing Leaks From Pipe Fittings
The main causes of steam leaks from pipe/valve flanged and screwed connectors are: (1) stress from pipes expanding or contracting due to the heat of the steam, (2) threaded components that have loosened due to that stress, and (3) deterioration of gaskets.
When pipes contract due to a drop in the temperature of the steam, the nuts and bolts of the fitting can loosen, causing a gap to open up between the two pipes from which steam will escape.
If plant workers find a steam leak, they should do more than simply tighten the screws on the fitting or replace the gaskets. They should also investigate the cause of the leak and consider changing the number and location of fixed pipe supports or adding expansion joints. If countermeasures such as these are not taken, it is likely that the leak will reemerge in the future.


Increasingly, plants are choosing to install stainless steel piping, but stainless steel piping is more susceptible to expansion and contraction due to steam temperature than carbon steel piping. Care should be taken to install the fittings of stainless steel piping tighter than for carbon steel piping.
Preventing Leaks From Valves
The vast majority of external leaks from valves come from gland packing. Due to the construction of valves, gland leaks can be stopped temporarily by tightening the valve.
However, in locations where the valve is opened and closed regularly, it is likely to start leaking again within a short timeframe. A bellows seal valve is recommended in such locations. Bellows seal valves are highly resistant to gland leakage because of their bellows, which closes off the interior and exterior gland packing.
Interior leakage occurs when steam escapes (often through the valve seat) and flows through the outlet while the valve is in the "closed" position. Interior leaks cannot be seen from the outside, and so are difficult to spot. To find interior leaks, use a maintenance tool such as a stethoscope or a device that measures ultrasonic vibrations.

It is common for steam to leak from the seat of valves with both adjustable and closable valve openings. One way of preventing this is to use adjustable and closable valves where necessary, eliminating the need for dual-function valves. However, another effective method of preventing internal leaks is to install a separator to remove the condensate entrained within steam. Supplying dry steam will prevent the valve seat from deteriorating.
Preventing Leaks From Steam Traps
For valves and pipe fittings, leaks occur when the device stops functioning correctly, but for steam traps, we must also consider the loss of steam that occurs during normal operation.
Steam Losses During Normal Operation
The amount of steam that leaks from a steam trap during normal operation varies depending on the type of trap. When new, a disc trap can leak up to 10 times the volume of steam compared to an energy-efficient Free Float® trap, depending on steam pressure and condensate volume.

For this reason, TLV recommends selecting Free Float® traps to reduce steam loss during normal operation.
Leaks From Failed Traps
As shown in Steam Line Energy Saving Tips, the steam that leaks from even one failed trap can represent a significant financial loss.
Data from TLV's steam trap assessments shows that, prior to assessment, an average of 5-10% of all steam traps in plants leaked steam. By identifying leaking traps and swapping them with energy-efficient Free Float® traps, plants can achieve significant energy savings.
To schedule an assessment of the pipes, valves, and steam traps in your plant, contact TLV today:
Steam-Using Equipment Energy Saving Tips | Handle Steam More Intelligently |