Discover steam engineering tips in our bi-monthly newsletter.

Mechanical Steam Traps

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

Operating Pressure Range: 0 - 120 barg
Operating Temperature Range: 0 - 530 °C

Free Float® Steam Trap Series Pamphlet (2056 KB)
Free Float® Steam Traps for Process Use
Free Float® Steam Traps for High Temperature, High Pressure Use
Free Float® Steam Traps for Steam Mains and Tracer Lines
Singapore Refining Company Teams Up with TLV for Major Energy Savings
TLV Steam Traps aid refurbishment of Marshall steam engine
Free Float® Steam Trap JX/JHX series (Animation)
Free Float® Steam Trap SS series (Animation)

Subcategories

Free Float® Steam Traps (Low Pressure)

Free Float® steam traps that offer continuous discharge and are optimal for processes. Low pressure use, up to 46 barg.

Free Float® Steam Traps (Medium / High Pressure)

Free Float® steam traps that offer continuous discharge and are optimal for processes. Mid to high pressure use, up to 120 barg. Some models for use in main lines also available.

Free Float® Steam Traps for Main Lines

Free Float® steam traps for main lines that provide a tight seal even under low condensate load conditions.

Steam Traps with Bypass Valve

Free Float® steam traps with a built-in bypass valve.

Large Capacity Float Steam Traps

Large capacity steam traps with a maximum discharge capacity of 150 t/h.

Clean Steam Traps

Free Float® steam traps for clean steam. Designed to allow complete condensate drainage and easy disassembly for cleaning.

Benefits and Features

The operation principle of mechanical traps takes advantage of the difference between the specific gravities of condensate and steam.

Free Float® steam traps, a TLV invention, are our flagship series of mechanical steam traps. Free Float® steam traps offer the following features:

The spherical float provides an infinite number of contact surfaces with the valve seat, ensuring long service life.
Air venting feature for improved equipment productivity.
Compact design with no levers or hinges.
Large tolerance for backpressure allows for problem-free operation even where condensate is recovered.

Application Areas

Mechanical traps are suitable for use in a variety of applications, including steam main lines, heat exchangers, and insulation applications such as tracers.

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
	Up to 21	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
	Up to 65		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
Cyclic operation (Energy saving model)	Up to 32	QuickTrap with universal connector	FL Series	Thermostatic Steam Traps
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	Inline replaceable valve module	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 exchangers1 Reboilers1 Heaters, pre-heaters Jacketed kettles1 Autoclaves (Sterilizers, etc.) Tank heaters1 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	Free Float® Steam Traps (Low Pressure)
			With bypass valve	J3S-X-RV	Steam Traps with Bypass Valve
			For sterile processes	LV6	Clean Steam Traps
			For sterile processes	SS5P	Clean Steam Traps
		Up to 32	For small size equipment	L Series	Thermostatic Steam Traps
		Up to 32	-	JH-X Series	Free Float® Steam Traps (Medium / High Pressure)
Vaporization	Evaporators1 Tank crystallizers1 Enrichment tanks1 Distillers1 Other vaporizers	Up to 46	-	JH-B Series
		Up to 46	Up to 400°C	SJH Series
		Up to 65	-	SH Series
		Up to 65		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	Large Capacity Float Steam Traps
		Up to 46	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
		Up to 32	-	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 heaters1 Unit heaters Plate heat exchangers Strip heaters1 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	Free Float® Steam Traps (Low Pressure)
	Up to 21	With bypass valve	J3S-X-RV	Steam Traps with Bypass Valve
	Up to 32	For small size equipment	L Series	Thermostatic Steam Traps
	Up to 32	-	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