TLV - A Steam Specialist Company
Home > Products > Steam Traps
More Information

Email Magazine

Discover steam engineering tips in our bi-monthly newsletter.

Sign up now

Steam Traps

Steam Traps

Automatic valves for the purpose of discharging condensate without venting steam.

Operating Pressure Range: 0 - 260 barg
Operating Temperature Range: 0 - 550 °C

Product Selection by Application



Subcategories

Mechanical Steam Traps

Mechanical Steam Traps

Mechanical steam traps utilize buoyancy to open and close the valve.
Also known as 'Float Traps' or 'Bucket Traps'.
Thermodynamic Steam Traps

Thermodynamic Steam Traps

Steam traps that utilize the difference in the thermodynamic properties of condensate and steam.
Also known as 'Disc Traps'
Thermostatic Steam Traps

Thermostatic Steam Traps

These traps utilize the difference in the temperatures of steam and condensate.
Also known as 'Temperature Control Traps' or 'Balanced Pressure Traps.'

Benefits and Features

A steam trap is a kind of automatic valve that discharges condensate generated during processes and in steam transport lines while preventing any steam from escaping ('trapping' the steam). Steam traps can be divided into three general categories based on their operation mechanism: mechanical, thermodynamic, and thermostatic. TLV manufactures all three of these categories.

Our extensive product line-up makes it possible to select the optimal product to suit your objective or application.
Each trap offers the highest level of energy conservation in its class.
Much consideration is given to the aspect of maintenance, as evidenced by designs that include the unitization of parts, interchangeable parts, and utilization of re-useable PTFE gaskets.

Application Areas

Below are some common applications and the steam trap types that are often used for each application:

Steam Transport Lines (Steam Main Lines)
– Free Float® for main lines
– Disc type
Steam Heating Equipment
– Free Float®
– Thermostatic
– High-capacity Free Float®
Tracers, Freeze Protection, Room Heating
– Thermostatic
– Free Float®
– Temperature control traps, radiator traps

The different types of traps can also be used in numerous other types of applications in addition to those mentioned above. Contact your TLV sales representative for details.


Product Selection by Application

This guide shows the most suitable TLV steam traps for an array of applications.
Start by selecting an application from the drop-down menu at the top, then search for your desired operation principle, pressure category, and other special features to find the right steam trap.

Steam Mains and Steam Headers

Steam Mains and Steam Headers

Product Features

  • Models categorized for "energy saving" have minimal steam loss
  • Tight seal even under minimal load
  • Operation not receptive to environmental influences (wind, rain/snow)
  • Initial air venting feature

Special Features for Pipe End Traps

  • Initial air venting feature
  • Swift discharge of high condensate load at start-up
  • No condensate back-up owing to continuous discharge
Operation Principle Pressure Category*1 (barg) Remark Product Series Further Reference
Continuous discharge (Energy saving model) Up to 10 With bypass valve J3S-X-BV, J3S-X-PB Steam Traps with Bypass Valve
Up to 21 - SS Series (SS1, SS3) Free Float® Steam Traps for Main Lines
With bypass valve J3S-X-RV Steam Traps with Bypass Valve
Up to 32 - SS Series (SS5) Free Float® Steam Traps for Main Lines
JH3S-B Free Float® Steam Traps (Medium / High Pressure)
QuickTrap with universal connector FS Series Free Float® Steam Traps for Main Lines
Up to 46 QuickTrap with universal connector FS Series (FS5H)
- SS Series (SS5H)
JH-B Series Free Float® Steam Traps (Medium / High Pressure)
Up to 65 SH Series Free Float® Steam Traps for Main Lines
JH-P Series Free Float® Steam Traps (Medium / High Pressure)
Up to 100 JH7RH-B
Up to 120 JH7RH-P
Cyclic operation (Energy saving model) Up to 32 - L Series Thermostatic Steam Traps
QuickTrap with universal connector FL Series
Intermittent operation Up to 13 Inline replaceable valve module A3N Disc-Type Steam Traps
Up to 46 QuickTrap with universal connector & inline replaceable valve module FP46UC
Up to 65 Inline replaceable valve module P Series*2
Up to 260 HR Series

*1 Operating pressures vary between different models of the same series. For details please refer to individual Specification Data Sheets (SDS).
*2 Except P46S and P21S ver.C.

Equipment and Processes

Equipment and Processes

Product Features

  • No condensate back-up owing to continuous discharge
  • Self-modulating discharge as condensate load varies
  • Initial air venting feature
  • High back pressure tolerance (Condensate discharge capacity even at small differential pressure)
  • "Fail open" to avoid condensate back-up under any circumstances
End-usage Pressure Category*2 (barg) Remark Series Further Reference
Heating
  • Heat exchangers*1
  • Reboilers*1
  • Heaters, pre-heaters
  • Jacketed kettles*1
  • Autoclaves (Sterilizers, etc.)
  • Tank heaters*1
  • Other heaters
 Up to 10 With bypass valve J3S-X-BV, J3S-X-PB Steam Traps with Bypass Valve
Up to 22 - SJFX Series Free Float® Steam Traps (Low Pressure)
Up to 21 JX Series
With bypass valve J3S-X-RV Steam Traps with Bypass Valve
For sterile processes LV6 Clean Steam Traps
SS5P
Up to 32 For small size equipment L Series Thermostatic Steam Traps
- JH-X Series Free Float® Steam Traps (Medium / High Pressure)
Vaporization
  • Evaporators*1
  • Tank crystallizers*1
  • Enrichment tanks*1
  • Distillers*1
  • Other vaporizers
 Up to 46 - JH-B Series
Up to 400°C SJH Series
Up to 65 - SH Series
JH-P Series
Up to 100 JH7RH-B
Up to 120 JH7RH-P
Drying
  • Hot air dryers
  • Presses
  • Other dryers
 Up to 32 - JL Series Large Capacity Float Steam Traps
Up to 46 JL15 Series
Up to 400°C SJH Series Free Float® Steam Traps (Low Pressure)
  • Cylinder dryers, roll dryers
  • Corrugated folding presses, etc.
 Up to 22 - SJFX Series
Up to 21 JX Series
Up to 32 For small size equipment L Series Thermostatic Steam Traps
- SJHX Series Free Float® Steam Traps (Medium / High Pressure)
*1 Depending on the operation condition, the indicated equipment may be subject to "stall" (see *3 below). In such cases, GT Series PowerTraps are required. GT Series PowerTraps are steam traps that feature a pump function. GT Series PowerTraps

*2 Operating pressures vary between different models of the same series. For details please refer to individual Specification Data Sheets (SDS).

*3 "Stall" is a phenomenon where the internal pressure of an equipment falls below the back pressure on the outlet side, resulting in back-up of condensate that cannot be discharged by conventional steam traps. "Stall" can cause damage such as uneven/incomplete product heating, corrosion and waterhammer.

Heat Exchangers and Air Conditioning

Heat Exchangers and Air Conditioning

Product Features

  • No condensate back-up owing to continuous discharge
  • Self-modulating discharge as condensate load and pressure changes
  • Initial air venting feature
  • Quiet operation
End-usage Pressure Category*2 barg Remark Series Further Reference
  • Air conditioners / air heaters*1
  • Unit heaters
  • Plate heat exchangers
  • Strip heaters*1
  • Other heaters and air conditioners
 Up to 10 With bypass valve J3S-X-BV, J3S-X-PB Steam Traps with Bypass Valve
Up to 22 - SJFX Free Float® Steam Traps (Low Pressure)
Up to 21 JX Series
With bypass valve J3S-X-RV Steam Traps with Bypass Valve
Up to 32 For small size equipment L Series Thermostatic Steam Traps
- SJHX Series Free Float® Steam Traps (Medium / High Pressure)
*1 Depending on the operation condition, the indicated equipment may be subject to "stall" (see *3 below). In such cases, GT Series PowerTraps are required. GT Series PowerTraps are steam traps that feature a pump function. GT Series PowerTraps

*2 Operating pressures vary between different models of the same series. For details please refer to individual Specification Data Sheets (SDS).

*3 "Stall" is a phenomenon where the internal pressure of an equipment falls below the back pressure on the outlet side, resulting in back-up of condensate that cannot be discharged by conventional steam traps. "Stall" can cause damage such as uneven/incomplete product heating, corrosion and waterhammer.

Trace and Tank Coils

Trace and Tank Coils

Product Features

  • Models categorized as "energy saving" have minimal steam loss
  • Tight seal even under minimal load
  • Operation not receptive to environmental influences (wind, rain/snow)

Special Features for Measurement Instruments

  • Small and lightweight construction
End-usage Control Temperature Category Remark Series Further Reference
Insulation jackets - - SS Series Free Float® Steam Traps for Main Lines
L Series Thermostatic Steam Traps
A3N Disc-Type Steam Traps
P Series
QuickTrap with universal connector FS Series Free Float® Steam Traps for Main Lines
FL Series Thermostatic Steam Traps
FP46UC Disc-Type Steam Traps
Pipe trace heating Controlled temperature above 80°C - SS Series Free Float® Steam Traps for Main Lines
L Series Thermostatic Steam Traps
A3N Disc-Type Steam Traps
P Series
QuickTrap with universal connector FS Series Free Float® Steam Traps for Main Lines
FL Series Thermostatic Steam Traps
FP46UC Disc-Type Steam Traps
Controlled temperature up to 80°C Utilizes sensible heat LEX3N-TZ Temperature Control Steam Traps
Instrumentation trace heating Controlled temperature above 80°C - P21S ver.C Disc-Type Steam Traps
P46S
LV Series Thermostatic Steam Traps
Controlled temperature up to 80°C Utilizes sensible heat LEX3N-TZ Temperature Control Steam Traps