- 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
- Optimize Reboiler Performance via Effective Condensate Drainage
- Vent Away Condensate Pump Frustrations in a Flash
- 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
Double Trapping
Contents:
One problem related to condensate drainage sometimes encountered in factories is the installation of one trap and a second trap in series further down the line. This issue is know as 'Double Trapping'.
Double Trapping is usually done as a temporary measure, where a “master trap” is installed on a condensate line with a multitude of traps failing further upstream. In some cases, it may be that a second trap is installed immediately downstream of another trap as a kind of back-up to the first trap. Neither of these installation ideas are recommended.
While installing two traps in series might appear to be a good safety measure, this practice is not recommended because it can lead to trap blockage and waterlogging of all equipment trying to drain into it, similar to when a trap is completely blocked.
Double Trapping Does More Harm Than Good
Setting two traps in series might appear to be useful as:
- A back-up in case the first trap fails, or as a way to quickly stop steam leaks before blowing out a vent
- A way to reduce vapor clouds
However, a simple look at the operating mechanism of steam traps can explain why setting two traps in series is never recommended.
Steam Locking Issue Caused by Double Trapping

Why Double Trapping Doesn't Work
Reason #1: Intended to Stop Flow of Live or Flash Steam
If a trap has failed, it will leak live steam. If it functions properly, then a portion of the discharged condensate will flash into steam because of the pressure differential. Either way, when two traps are set in series, live or flash steam exits the first trap with multiple effects:
- Backpressure on the system increases (due to the restriction of the second trap and piping diameter for the steam encountered)
- The second trap is closed by the presence of steam (steam locking), thus interrupting flow
- Waterlogging and water hammer are two subsequent negative effects
For more information related to these issues, please read:
Reason #2: Pressure Differential and Trap Size
A single trap would have the sizing benefit of using the full pressure differential between inlet and outlet when selected. When double trapping is used, the pressure differential has to be divided between two traps. The result is that a small single trap would need to be replaced by two traps larger than the single one.
Even so, as mentioned above, the second trap will close on live or flash steam, so continuous flow is impeded and causes waterlogging. Additionally, in cases of higher backpressure in the return line, one of the traps may need to be substantially larger to adjust for the smaller differential pressure across it to avoid a “stall” condition.
For further details on Stall, please read:
Pressure Differential Issue

Even if both traps are oversized, another reason to avoid double trapping is the likelihood that problems arise from differences in the timing of the operating cycles of both traps.
Resolving Problems Related to Condensate Discharge
In short, whether from steam locking or the lack of discharge synchronization on the second trap, double-trapping leads to water hammer or other serious problems and should be avoided.
As a basic principal, if trap failure is a concern, in addition to having spare traps on hand, a block valve should always be installed at the inlet and outlet side of steam traps to allow for quick and easily replacement. Often, a bypass valve to drain may also be installed. Also, if it necessary to have a back-up for a critical process, then one solution is to install a trap in parallel to be ready in case of switching over. If vapor clouds from condensate discharge are a concern, setting up a flash steam vessel to collect and possibly reuse flash steam will help reduce visible steam clouds in addition to helping improve efficiency of the system.
Trap Back Pressure | Group Trapping |