In this article, I will share the application, design and working principle of an inverted bucket-type steam trap.
An inverted bucket-type steam trap is the most reliable steam trap because of its simple design it has and its numerous advantages over other steam traps.
Its unique design is what makes it so amazing, it resists damage from water hammering and wearing and it doesn’t need high maintenance.
The design that is used in this steam trap makes it the most reliable and durable.
With that much said, let me share with you the application of the inverted bucket-type steam trap.
From the name, you might think that the only application of the inverted bucket-type steam trap is to trap the steam, but you are wrong.
Application of inverted bucket-type steam trap
These are the applications of an inverted bucket-type steam trap;
1. Laundry machines.
Inverted bucket-type steam traps are used in laundry machines to trap the condensate and allow dry steam to be used in the machines.
Dry steam tends to have high thermal energy compared to wet steam.
The inverted bucket-type steam trap is used to ensure that the steam is of the required quality.
2. High-pressure applications.
Inverted bucket-type steam traps are often used in high-pressure applications to ensure that the steam is of the required quality.
It can be from any machine, and as long as it involves high-pressure steam applications, this steam trap is suitable in such areas.
The main feature that makes the inverted bucket-type steam trap highly preferable is the design.
Its design can withstand high pressure and high ranges of temperatures.
3. Steam separators.
An inverted bucket-type steam trap is a steam trap and it’s mostly used to trap condensate and ensure that the steam is dry.
You can find steam separators in boiler steam lines, their main function is to ensure that the steam supplied to the application points is dry.
You might like this: Boilers: Components, Types & Working Principle
4. Roller dryers.
An inverted bucket-type steam trap is used in roller dryers to trap the condensate from the steam.
This ensures that the gas that is used in drying is dry, which tends to increase the efficiency of the dryers.
Wet steam is not likely going to dry anything the way it’s supposed to.
And this is where the inverted bucket-type steam traps
Design/construction of an inverted bucket-type steam trap
An inverted bucket-type steam trap has a simple design of a valve lever assembly and a bucket.
Its design is quite unique from most steam traps in the industry.
The internal components of the inverted bucket-type steam trap are made of stainless steel, which makes it corrosion-resistant.
This ensures that the inverted bucket-type steam trap is durable and reliable.
The body of the steam trap is made of cast iron which renders the inverted bucket-type steam trap very strong from any physical damage while installing it in the steam lines.
The other design feature that makes the inverted bucket-type steam trap easy to install is that it has a strainer which helps to reduce the number of pipeline connections that are needed.
This makes the installation very easy and quick since the connections needed are minimal.
Another feature design of this steam trap is that it’s manually primed which ends up enhancing the water seal thus preventing any leakages from it.
Working principle of inverted bucket-type steam trap
The inverted bucket-type steam trap works on the principle that condensate is denser than steam.
The difference in densities in the steam and condensate entering the steam trap is what makes it operational.
This is what happens when the steam enters the inverted bucket-type steam trap;
When the steam enters the inverted bucket through the inlet of the steam trap, it tends to make the inverted bucket buoyant and causes it to rise up closing the outlet valve of the steam trap.
Now that the outlet valve is closed, the air hole on the bucket allows vapour to flow out of the bucket and flow down the inverted bucket.
As the vapour continues escaping the inverted bucket via the air hole on the top of the bucket, the condensate fills the inside of the bucket.
When the condensate fills the inside bucket of the steam trap, the bucket becomes heavier and it goes down opening the outlet valve and allowing the condensate to be discharged via the outlet.
And that is how the inverted bucket-type steam trap works.
Final thoughts
An inverted bucket-type steam separator is the most reliable steam trap because of how amazing it operates.
And the operation is good because of the design of this steam trap.
These are some advantages of using an inverted bucket-type steam trap.
An inverted bucket-type steam trap doesn’t need much attention when it comes to maintenance because it resists water hammer, and wear and is even free from dirt.
Don’t expect the inverted bucket-type steam trap to clog at all.
There is still so much to learn about this steam trap, but what I have shared in this article is enough to give you an idea of how this steam trap operates.
If you have any questions you should leave a comment.
Thanks for reading, see you in my next article.
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