Free Float® Steam Traps for Process Use

Overview

Features

Features

Process Use

Necessary Features of Steam Traps for Process Use

X-element

What is an X-element?

The X-element is comprised of a valve and a diaphragm that transmits the force of a thermoliquid (temperature-sensitive fluid). When surrounded by steam, the valve is closed. When condensate, air or other non-condensable gases are present, the valve is open. It can also discharge high temperature non-condensable gases, something bimetal air vents are unable to do. This is made possible due to the special properties of the thermoliquid.

Thermoliquid, like water, is liquid when kept under a certain pressure and temperature, and expands to become a gas when its temperature rises above a certain point. The temperature at which it becomes a gas is approximately 6°C (22°C for air vents) lower than the temperature at which water becomes steam. So when it is surrounded by steam, the thermoliquid is a gas and the chamber containing the thermoliquid expands and pushes on the diaphragm. This causes the gap between the valve and the valve opening on the diaphragm to close.

In contrast, when the area around the X-element is at a low temperature (when it is either condensate or air), the thermoliquid is in the liquid phase and the valve is not being pushed closed, so condensate and air are discharged from the gap between the valve and the valve opening.

”Fail Open” Safety Feature

Fail safe features are necessary in quality precision instruments. TLV therefore designed the X-element in such a way that the valve remains in the open position ('fail open' safety feature ) in the event the diaphragm ruptures.

If a steam trap fails, the valve may either remain open (blowing) or it may remain closed (blocked). If the valve remains closed, condensate accumulates in any equipment that cannot be shut down in order to replace the failed trap, and this pooling of condensate impairs the equipment's heating performance. On the other hand, if the valve remains open, the supply of steam continues uninterrupted and the equipment can continue to be productive. Due to this special design, even if the diaphragm ruptures and becomes technically 'closed' (by remaining in contact with the valve opening due to the flow of steam and condensate), condensate, etc. can still flow through the valve opening via the hole in the center of the valve.

Free Float®

Precision Free Float®: The Best for a Variety of Processes

Continuous condensate discharge

The Free Float® moves up and down in response to the amount of condensate inflow, automatically adjusting the amount of valve opening and continuously discharging condensate. This ensures that no condensate accumulates inside the equipment.

Reduced steam losses

The surface of the liquid inside the trap is maintained above a certain level and condensate is continually discharged through the orifice. Even when there is no condensate flowing into the trap, the precision Free Float® securely seals the orifice closed. This minimizes steam losses during operation.

Ideal for condensate recovery

In Free Float® type steam traps, the forces of the inlet pressure and the back pressure act in opposing directions, so Free Float® traps are able to operate normally even under 90% back pressure. This makes them ideally suited for processes with closed condensate recovery systems. In contrast, disc type traps only have a 50% to 80% allowable back pressure because the pressures act in the same direction.

Erosion-resistant design

Constructed to resist erosion through features like: a simple construction with no levers or hinges and only one moving part, the Free Float®; an extra-large surface area in the condensate discharge passage; improved thickness of passage walls from 3 mm to 5 mm (model J3X); and a selection of highly-durable materials.

Operation Animation

Continuous Discharge of Condensate & Rapid Removal of Cold and Hot Air

Operation animation

When the steam trap is cold (before steam is supplied to the equipment), the X-element is in the contracted position, so its valve is fully open. When the supply of steam begins, air and condensate are released through this valve opening. Condensate is also discharged through the main valve opening (also known as the orifice) in the lower part of the trap.

When the discharge of the initial air and cold condensate is finished, steam enters the trap causing the X-element to expand. By expanding, the X-element closes the valve where air is discharged. As condensate enters the trap, the float rises in response to the inflowing condensate load, and condensate is continuously discharged through the orifice.

When hot air enters the steam trap during operation, the X-element immediately senses the drop in temperature inside the trap and automatically opens the air-venting valve, which rapidly discharges the air. After the air has been completely discharged, the temperature again rises and the air-venting valve closes.

If there is no inflow of condensate, the float drops and is held tightly against the orifice. This seals off the main valve opening (orifice). Steam leakage is prevented at all times by maintaining a water seal over the orifice.

Applications

Line-up

Line-up

Model	Appearance	Body Material	Maximum Discharge Capacity (kg/h)	Product Specifications
J3X		Ductile cast iron	710	182 kb
JF3X		Cast iron
J3S-X		Cast stainless steel	760	144 kb
J5S-X		Cast stainless steel	1020	636 kb
J5X		Ductile cast iron	1040	207 kb
JF5X (Screwed flange)		Ductile cast iron
JF5X (Flange)		Cast iron
J6S-X		Cast stainless steel	3400	1106 kb
J7X		Cast iron	4000	148 kb
J7.2X			9000	120 kb
J7.5X			15600	164 kb
J8X			25000	522 kb