Quick-Fit steam trap station saves energy and cuts carbon emissions

31 August 2012

More energy efficient steam systems are the promise of the new STS17.2 steam trap station launched by Spirax Sarco in an expansion of its Quick-Fit steam trapping range

Comprising all the components needed for a steam trap installation in one easy-to-fit package, the STS17.2 lowers the total cost of ownership of steam plant and can help companies to reduce their carbon emissions. The whole package is supported by a 10-year warranty for total peace of mind.

The STS17.2 is a complete assembly comprising isolation valves, steam trap connector with strainer and a check valve in a sleek, modular body. The single-piece body virtually eliminates the potential leak paths caused by screwed connections that conventional steam trapping stations and on-site fabricated installations typically suffer.

“The STS17.2’s innovative leak-free stainless steel body helps steam system operators to further reduce carbon emissions,” says Paul Mayoh, Spirax Sarco Product Manager. “Quick-Fit technology means changing a steam trap can be done in minutes instead of hours, significantly reducing plant downtime. Total cost of ownership is further lowered through the use of high performance stainless steel components, ensuring long and trouble-free operation.”

Apart from the steam traps themselves, no other components need to be specified or purchased, eliminating the time, cost and inconvenience needed to select, size, build and install a conventional steam trap station.

An important safety feature of the STS17.2 is the inclusion of lockable handles on the isolation valves to help ensure maintenance can be carried out safely by minimising the possibility of accidental operation. Internal parts including the ball valves, check valve and strainer screen can all be replaced easily.

A new option with the STS17.2 is the double isolation adapter. This provides added security of two upstream isolation valves and allows the replacement of steam traps whilst the system is live, eliminating the need for plant downtime. This can also be considered for upstream and downstream applications for more specific maintenance procedures.

The STS17.2 boasts several other options such as an automatic steam trap monitoring facility and strainer blow down valves to further reduce maintenance. The compact design of the STS17.2 allows it to squeeze into positions that are too tight to accommodate traditional steam trap stations built from separate components.

Although there are several connector steam traps available, selection here is further simplified by considering thermodynamic for mains drainage and float for heat exchanger applications. Steam traps can be changed or maintained quickly with only two bolt connections without breaking the pipeline.

The new station is suitable for clean steam and filtered applications such as hospital sterilisers, dairy production, food and beverage processing and some pharmaceutical plants. No sizing or selection is required for the STS17.2 and it is considered suitable for all steam main applications up to 10 bar g and DN150 line size.

Other applications can be sized using the appropriate Quick-Fit steam trap selection data and then selecting the same size STS17.2. The majority of applications will use the ½” or DN 15 unit.