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Mechanical steam traps operate by gravity. The difference between the water and steam causes a stainless steel float ball to rise and the trap, which opens and closes the valve. Stainless steel floats within steam traps are ideal for regulating the higher pressure and correspondingly high temperatures in water or corrosive liquids. Their high strength and non-corrosive properties make stainless steel the choice for an extremely versatile and durable float. The movement of the float is dependent on the flow of condensate. The advantage of mechanical steam traps over other types of steam traps is the precise response to the flow of condensate without its performance being affected by external factors.

Ball Float and Inverted Bucket Trap

There are two variations of the mechanical steam trap: float traps and inverted bucket traps. The float trap utilizes a sealed oblong float, while the inverted bucket traps utilizes a buoyant, cylindrical cup turned upside-down. Though each functions differently, buoyancy is the principle operation for each.

Ball Float Trap

The ball float type trap operates by sensing the difference in density between steam and condensate. In the case of the trap shown in the image on the right (Float trap with air cock), condensate reaching the trap will cause the ball float to rise, lifting the Valve off its seat and releasing condensate. As can be seen, the Valve is always flooded and neither steam nor air will pass through it, so early traps of this kind were vented using a manually operated cock at the top of the body. Modern traps use a thermostatic air vent.

This allows the initial air to pass whilst the trap is also handling condensate.

UKL Make Float Trap It is able to handle heavy or light condensate loads equally well and is not affected by wide and sudden fluctuations of pressure or flowrate.

The versions which have a steam lock release Valve are the only type of trap entirely suitable for use where steam locking can occur.

Inverted Bucket Type

Inverted Bucket Steam Traps belong to the family of mechanical traps. They operate on the difference in density between steam and water.

As its name implies, the mechanism consists of an inverted bucket which is attached by a lever to a Valve. An essential part of the trap is the small air vent hole in the top of the bucket.

the method of operation. the bucket hangs down, pulling the Valve off its seat. Condensate flows under the bottom of the bucket filling the body and flowing away through the outlet.  After the arrival of steam causes the bucket to become buoyant, it then rises and shuts the outlet) then trap remains shut until the steam in the bucket has condensed or bubbled through the vent hole to the top of the trap body. It will then sink, pulling the main Valve off its seat. Accumulated condensate is released and the cycle is repeated.

Air reaching the trap at start-up will also give the bucket buoyancy and close the Valve. The bucket vent hole is essential to allow air to escape into the top of the trap for eventual discharge through the main Valve seat. The holeand the pressure differential, are small so the trap is relatively slow at venting air. At the same time it must pass (and therefore waste) a certain amount of steam for the trap to operate once the air has cleared. A parallel air vent fitted outside the trap will reduce start-up times.

UKL developed various models considering customers requirement which help to serve all industries in précised way.

Importance of Trap Selection in Industries.

A steam trap must trap or hold back steam whilst at the same time not restricting the passage of condensate, air, and other incondensable gases. The basic requirements of good steam trapping have already been outlined but it is worth repeating that the performance of the plant is paramount. The trap selection follows on the basis that the requirements of pressure, condensate load and air venting have been met, in the provisional selection. However, system design and maintenance needs will also influence performance and selection.

In superheated systems, there is often little condensate. During such operations, there may not be sufficient water inside an inverted bucket trap & Ball float Trap  to create buoyancy. As a result the trap, leaking large amounts of superheated steam.