Steam System Specialist Level I (An Overview of the entire Steam System)

 Steam System Specialist Level I Training is an exciting three (3) day course. The training program reviews all aspects of a steam system.  Steam System Training Level I is targeted for all individuals looking to achieve more knowledge of steam systems.  The program is designed to provide attendees with a solid foundation of a true understanding of a total steam system from steam generation through condensate recovery.

 The unique Steam Group Training Concept is used during the class. The attendees work in groups of two or three.  This unique training concept has been proven to enhance your understanding by creating an interactive learning environment.

 During the program, our instructors will teach and illustrate true steam system principals, independent of specific products or manufacturers.  The teams will use and reference AutoCAD prints of an actual steam system operation while completing tasks to practice and demonstrate the acquired knowledge. This insures maximized comprehension of the training course.

 The Steam Group Training Concept is used to insure maximized comprehension of the training material.

 This training class has both a practical and written exam at the conclusion of the course.  This provides a confirmation of the attendees achieve during the training program.

With today’s energy pricing and the need to reduce emissions, a plant’s steam/condensate systems cannot afford to vent flash steam to the atmosphere. The modulating steam system’s operational design requires the condensate to be recovered by a gravity (0 psig) condensate system. A typical system will incorporate a condensate receiver that allows the flash steam to vent to the atmosphere. The venting of the flash steam ensures the condensate receiver is never pressurized. To prevent the flash steam loss to the atmosphere, plants install devices such as “flash steam vent condensers” in the flash steam vent line.

http://www.plantsupport.com/download/Best%20Practices_No.26HR.pdf

We are trying to standardize the steam trap test results plants use for testing steam traps.  If you have any recommendations – please respond….

1. Good: the steam trap is operating properly
2. Blow: (failure) the steam trap is completely failed and blowing steam
3. Lk: (failure) the steam trap is severe leaking steam
4. US: (failure) the steam trap is undersized for the operation
   1. The leak level requires replacement or replacement
5. Cold: the steam trap is not up to temperature
   1. Cold could mean that the steam is shut off to the steam line or tracer system
   2. Cold could mean that foreign material has plugged the tracer line, steam trap, strainer, check valve, or steam line
   3. These test results require more investigation into the system and updating the log sheets with the proper test results
6. Installation

As we identify opportunities in our plants to improve efficiency, save energy, and ultimately save money, often there are incentives provided by utility and government agencies.   A range of incentives are avaliable such as corporate tax credits, loan guarantees, rebates, and grants among others.  A valuable tool is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) which is funded by the US Dept. of Energy and maintained by NC State University.  Here you can view federal incentive opportunities or drill down to your particular state.

Remember in physics class when the professor demonstrated the venturi effect.  The experiment most likely had water or compressed air passing through a nozzle.  As the fluid is constricted in the nozzle it’s velocity increases and as we know from the Law of Conservation of Energy, the pressure at the constriction decreases.  This decrease in pressure will then draw in a second fluid and entrain it with the motive fluid.  This principle is exactly what we see in steam ejectors where of course the motive fluid is steam.  This second fluid can really be any such as air, chemicals, or flash steam.

Steam ejectors are quite simple devices with no moving parts and also are extremely durable.  An ejector is commonly used as a vacuum pump to draw ingressed air from the condenser on a turbine at power plants.  An ejector can also function as a thermocompressor to siphon flash steam and entrain it with the motive steam.

Proper steam trap sizing is a critical factor in obtaining efficient and reliable steam trap operation. Incorrect steam trap sizing can negate proper trap design, installation, and can cause condensate backup, steam loss or both.

 Steam trap sizing is sometimes mistaken for selection of the steam trap connection size. Rather it is the proper sizing of the internal discharge orifice. (For low pressure steam heating systems, manufacturers produce steam traps with connection sizes that relate directly to capacity, orifice size). However, an industrial steam trap must be sized by selecting the proper discharge orifice. A two-inch steam trap can have the same condensate capacity as a steam trap with a half-inch connection. Once the condensate capacity is determined and the proper orifice size is calculated, the steam trap connection size can then be determined to meet the installation requirements.

Read the full Best Practice…..

http://www.plantsupport.com/download/Best%20Practices_No.25R2.pdf

We are looking from our readers recommendations and comments on steam valve insulation covers.  For outside installations.   Sizes 1/2″ to 14″

We have a large number of questions regarding this subject.

Thanks

Kelly Paffel

Technical Manager

What is the best type of steam seperator? And will it improve boiler effeciency?

We are interesting “Steam system ultrasound testing steam traps” after we have surveyed your web site. 

I have questions for ask with your technical,

Can ultrasound testing equipment measure quantity or volume of steam leaked?

 Posted for a client —

We are looking for a recommend device to monitor TOC levels at a Pharmaceutical company.

Do you know a instrument for off line testing that is superior to all other devices on the market?