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 TABLE 3-2.
Troubleshooting Steam Traps (Continued)
Possible Cause/
Problem Indication
Normal Operation
Type Trap
Action
Discharging steadily; no bucket
Trap undersized.
sound.
Determine correct
size and replace
trap.
Disk
Intermittent discharge.
Cycles faster than every
Trap undersized or
5 seconds.
faulty.
Replace trap.
Opening and snap-closing of disk Disk chattering over 60 times/
Failed open.
about every 10 seconds.
minute or no sound.
Replace or overhaul
trap.
E a c h trap has its own index card with identifying and inventory data entered.
T h e card is carried by the inspector during inspections and the observations
are entered. One index card may allow room, front and back, for 10 to 12
inspections.
Data must then be compiled manually from hundreds or thousands
o f cards to identify trends: to compile costs, a n d to pinpoint possible system
problems. A manual system is much less effective than a temporary inspection
l o g with data being entered into a report-generating computer system.
3 STEAM METERING. S t e a m metering is done principally to determine the
e f f i c i e n c y of a steam system. T h e data collected from metering can aid in
d e t e r m i n i n g the feasibility of modifications or the effectiveness of energy
c o n s e r v a t i o n actions.
It is a high
3 . 1 Metering Considerations. S t e a m is difficult to measure.
temperature, c o m p r e s s i b l e f l u i d w i t h v i r t u a l l y n o l u b r i c a t i n g p r o p e r t i e s .
B e c a u s e of pressure and temperature fluctuations, the specific volume of the
f l u i d changes. Most meters manufactured are capable of metering steam with
reasonable accuracy. However, the various advantages and disadvantages of
i n d i v i d u a l meters will affect the choice of meter selection for a particular
a p p l i c a t i o n . T h e following items are for consideration.
( a ) Pressure in a steam line fluctuates with demand and decreases in
proportion to the distance from the central plant. PRESSURE COMPENSATION IS
ESSENTIAL.
3-41
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