RU2362944C2 - Steam trap - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: power engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to devices designed to discharge fluid condensed phase, i.e. condensate, from various apparatuses and pipelines and to prevent release of gas phase. The proposed steam trap can be used in different industrial branches. It comprises vertical cylindrical body with cover and bottom, inlet and outlet branch pipes, open-top float arranged in the said body, shut-off member adjoining the outlet branch pipe and including seat, valve orifice, valve jointed to its stem. Aforesaid stem has its one end articulated with the lever. One end of aforesaid lever is articulated with the said float, the other end being articulated with the mount fitted on the outlet branch pipe. The cover is furnished with baffle incorporating a pipe to feed major amount of condensate into the float and drain edge to allow the other part of condensate to flow in between the body and float walls. Note that the shut-off member seat is conical. The seat and the valve are arranged at the valve orifice outlet. The valve features spherical surface. The float bottom is furnished with drain hole.

EFFECT: simpler design, higher efficiency and reliability.

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Description

The invention relates to a device for draining a condensed liquid-condensate phase from apparatus and pipelines and preventing the exit of a gas phase. The steam trap can be used in various fields of technology.

Known steam traps in the form of retaining washers [1]. These steam traps constitute a large hydraulic resistance to flow and for this reason they allow mainly condensate to pass through and with a significantly lower steam consumption. They are simple in design, but allow only small fluctuations in the flow rate of the condensate and inlet pressure in relation to their nominal values.

Known steam trap with a closed float mounted on a lever and a locking body containing a cone seat on the outlet side of the valve hole, as well as a ball valve and rod [2]. This steam trap operates without steam passage with a multiple increase or decrease in the flow and pressure of the condensate in relation to their nominal values, and it additionally performs the function of a check valve. Its disadvantage is that possible corrosion and other damage to the closed float lead to the termination of the device. A movable rod, which is not mechanically connected with the ball valve and the lever, is located in the hole of the guide sleeve, on the front sides of which in the working state of the device there is a pressure difference of the working medium. The latter leads to uncontrolled flows of the working medium through the annular gap formed by the rod and the wall of the hole in the guide sleeve, and possible contamination of the gap. Overflows reduce the efficiency of the steam trap, and possible contamination of a narrow annular gap can lead to "jamming" of the rod, and for this reason the normal operation of the device will stop.

A steam trap is also known, having a vertical cylindrical body with a cover and a bottom, an inlet and outlet pipe, a float open on top of the housing, a closure body adjacent to the outlet pipe, including a seat and valve, rigidly connected to the rod, which is pivotally connected to the lever, one end which is pivotally connected to the float, and the other end is provided with a load and a counterweight [3]. The use in a known device of an open top float increases the reliability and efficiency of the steam trap relative to the device [2] with a closed float, since there is no need to ensure the integrity of the float to maintain the health of the steam trap. The disadvantage is that the steam trap has a complex structure, it is bulky and heavy. The steam trap is not able to prevent the steam from leaving the housing at elevated pressures of the vapor-condensate mixture due to the close location of the shut-off element vertically to the interface between the vapor and liquid phases in the enclosure, and also due to the difficulty to provide the necessary force to press the valve against the seat to close the shut-off element . The force of pressing the valve to the seat is created using the counterweight (load), which is equipped with the free end of the lever. Since the counterweight cannot be excessively large, and the free end of the lever has a small angle with the vertical and for this reason the shoulder of the load is small, in reality it turns out that the steam trap is capable of releasing condensate and at the same time prevent steam from escaping when the pressure drop across the valve assembly is no more than 0.05 ÷ 0.1 kg / cm ² . The disadvantage is that during operation of the steam trap in the float sedimentary dirt can accumulate and, making the float heavier, help the steam trap exit from the normal operation mode. During interruptions in the operation of the steam trap, the condensate remaining in the float in winter time can turn into ice and at the same time deform the float and put it out of operation.

The closest in technical essence to the proposed invention is a steam trap containing a vertical cylindrical body with a cover and a bottom, an inlet and outlet pipe, a float open on top and placed in the body, a locking member adjacent to the outlet pipe and including a seat, valve hole, valve, connected to a rod that is pivotally connected to a lever, one end of which is pivotally connected to the float, the other end of the lever is pivotally connected to a support mounted on an outlet pat wheelhouse [4] - prototype. The use in the known device of the articulation of the end of the lever with a fixed support mounted on the exhaust pipe, makes it possible to reduce the metal consumption of the steam trap, to make it more compact. The disadvantage is that the float open from above is not protected from the dynamic force of the steam-condensate mixture flow entering the steam trap. Under conditions when the vapor-condensate mixture flow has a variable flow rate and pressure fluctuations, the hinge assemblies of the lever and elements of the locking element mechanically connected with the float will wear out intensively, which reduces the reliability of the steam trap. The float is made non-draining, and therefore, dirt can accumulate in it during operation. The design of the locking element does not provide reliable centering and a tight fit of the valve on the seat during operation of the steam trap.

The objective of the present invention is to simplify the design, increase the efficiency and reliability of the steam trap.

The problem is solved in that the steam trap containing a vertical cylindrical body with a cover and a bottom, an inlet and outlet pipe, a float open on top and placed in the body, a locking body adjacent to the outlet pipe and including a seat, valve hole, valve connected to the rod which has a hinge connection with a lever, one end of which is pivotally connected to the float, the other end of the lever is pivotally connected to a support mounted on the outlet pipe, is made so that attached to the cover n bump with a tube for supplying most of the condensate to the float, and with a drain edge through which another part of the condensate flows into the space between the walls of the housing and the float, the seat of the shut-off element is conical, while the seat and valve are placed at the outlet of the valve hole, valve has a spherical surface, and a drainage hole is made in the bottom of the float.

In contrast to the known device, the presence of a bump attached to the lid with a tube for supplying most of the condensate to the float and with a drain edge through which another part of the condensate flows into the space between the walls of the body and the float, protects the float from the dynamic force of the condensate flow entering the body from the inlet pipe. The chipper dampens the energy of the incoming condensate stream and ensures that the float operates in a quiet mode without external, random in nature, power dynamic influences from the working medium. This increases the reliability and efficiency of the steam trap. The execution of the seat of the locking element is conical, and the valve with a spherical surface, the placement of the seat and valve at the outlet of the valve hole provide reliable centering of the valve and its tight fit on the saddle in the closed valve operating mode. It also provides self-cleaning of the valve hole from contamination when the valve stem moves in it during the operation of the steam trap. The presence of a drainage hole with a diameter of 0.5 ÷ 2 mm in the bottom wall of the float ensures the removal of precipitating dispersed solid particles from the float with a condensate stream exiting through this hole. During breaks in the operation of the steam trap, the float is freed from condensate by spontaneously flowing out through the drainage hole, and this eliminates the risk of “defrosting" of the float in the winter season. The design of the steam trap is greatly simplified, the dimensions and weight are significantly reduced.

A comparative analysis of the proposed technical solution with the prototype shows that the claimed device meets the criteria of the invention of "novelty."

Known steam traps with retaining washers [1], with closed [2] and open [3] floats do not contain all the distinguishing features of the present invention.

All this allows us to conclude that the claimed technical solution meets the criteria of the invention "significant differences".

The drawing shows a vertical section of the proposed steam trap.

The steam trap contains a vertical cylindrical body 1 with a cover 2 and a bottom 3. An inlet pipe 4 with a filter 5, an outlet pipe 6 and a pipe 7 for discharging air and non-condensable gases are installed on the cover 2. A bump 8 is attached to the cover 2 with a pipe 9 for supplying condensate to the float 10. The float 10 through the eyelet 11 is pivotally connected to the end of the lever 12. The other end of the lever 12 is pivotally connected to a support 13 mounted on the outlet pipe 6. An intermediate hinge of the lever 12 connects it to the valve stem 14. Cone seat 16 and valve annoe opening closure member 17 formed in the nut 18 which is threadedly secured to the discharge pipe 6. In the bottom of the float 10 has a drain hole 19 of small diameter. A guide ring 20 is installed on the exhaust pipe 6, restricting the horizontal movement of the float 10. At the bottom 3 of the steam trap there is a threaded plug 21 for cleaning deposits and draining condensate. To permanently remove non-condensable gases from the housing 1, an opening 22 of a small diameter is made in the exhaust pipe 6. The tightness of the flange connection of the housing 1 with the cover 2 is provided using the gasket 23.

The steam trap operates as follows.

When a steam-consuming apparatus is put into operation, behind which a steam trap is installed, air is removed from the system under the influence of steam pressure through an open shut-off element of the steam trap. Then the stream of condensate discharged following the air through the inlet pipe 4 and the filter 5 enters the body 1 of the steam trap. Most of the condensate stream through the tube 9 enters the cavity of the float 10, and the other part flows through the drain edge of the baffle 8 into the space between the walls of the housing 1 and the float 10. Filling the float with condensate increases its weight and closes the shut-off element. When the float 10 is completely filled with condensate, the latter begins to flow over the edge of the float. Increasing the level of condensate in the housing 1 leads to a decrease in the resulting force acting through the eye 11 from top to bottom on the end of the lever 12. When the condensate reaches a certain height, under the influence of the pressure of the medium in the housing 1, the valve 15 rises above the conical seat 16 and the condensate gets access to exhaust pipe 6. In accordance with the condensate flow rate, its level in the housing 1 and the degree of valve lift 15 are automatically set. If steam enters the housing 1 through the intake pipe 4, then when the condensate is released This and a decrease in its level in the housing 1, there will come a moment when the force of the weight of the float 10 with the condensate in it, acting on the valve 15, becomes greater than the pressure force of the medium in the housing 1 on the valve 15. In this case, the valve 15 will lower to the conical seat 16 and the closure closes. The nut 18 with valve hole 17 is always below the condensate level. This creates a hydraulic shutter, further preventing the passage of steam into the exhaust pipe 6. Non-condensing gases released from the vapor-condensate stream are collected in the upper part of the housing 1 and are discharged from the steam trap through the opening 22 in the exhaust pipe 6.

If you need a quick start to the operation of the steam trap, for the quickest release of air from the system, an air pipe 7 with a valve is used. During breaks in operation and the need to remove condensate from the steam trap, a drainage screw plug 21 is used. From the float 10, the condensate is drained through the hole 19 in the bottom of the float.

Using the proposed device provides, compared with existing devices, the following advantages:

- the design of the device is simpler, more technologically advanced to manufacture, more convenient to maintain;

- the float is lightweight, thin-walled;

- weight (metal consumption) and the volume of the steam trap are significantly reduced;

- due to vertical movements of the valve stem in the valve hole, self-cleaning of the shut-off element from contamination;

- the steam trap has increased reliability;

- the steam trap additionally performs the function of a check valve;

- has good adaptability to dynamic working conditions;

- no special personnel actions are required when starting up work;

- due to the self-centering of the valve having a spherical surface, its full and tight contact with the conical seat is ensured with a closed locking body;

- the steam trap is capable of passing air;

- the steam trap releases non-condensable gases released from the exhaust stream;

- during breaks in operation and, if necessary, it is easy to remove condensate from the float and the body of the steam trap;

- provides self-cleaning of the float from the settling dispersed solid particles;

- there is protection against "defrosting" in the winter season.

Information sources

1. Levin M.S. Use of spent and secondary steam and condensate. - M.: Energy, 1971. - p. 63.

2. Patent for the invention RU No. 2137022 C, M. class. F16T 1/20 of 01/22/1998. Publ. 09/10/1999, Bull. Number 25.

3. German patent No. 114995, IPC F16T 1/28 of 1898.

4. US patent No. 1966007, IPC F16T 1/28 from 1934.

Claims (1)

A steam trap containing a vertical cylindrical body with a cover and a bottom, an inlet and outlet pipe, a float open on top and placed in the body, a shut-off element adjacent to the outlet pipe and including a seat, a valve hole, a valve connected to a rod that has a swivel connection with a lever, one end of which is pivotally connected to the float, the other end of the lever is pivotally connected to a support mounted on the outlet pipe, characterized in that a chipper with a pipe for feeding b is attached to the cover of the largest part of the condensate into the float and with a drain edge through which another part of the condensate flows into the space between the walls of the housing and the float, the seat of the shut-off element is conical, while the seat and valve are located at the outlet of the valve hole, the valve has a spherical surface, and the bottom of the float is a drainage hole.