Thermostatic Bellows Steam Trap - How It Works
1.On
start-up, condensate and air are pushed ahead of the steam directly
through the trap. The thermostatic bellows element is fully contracted
and the valve remains wide open until steam approaches the trap.
2. As the temperature inside the trap increases, it quickly heats the charged
bellows element, increasing vapor pressure inside. When pressure
inside the element becomes balanced with the system pressure in the
trap body, the spring effect of the bellows causes the element to
expand, closing the valve. When temperature in the trap drops a few
degrees below saturated steam temperature, imbalanced pressure contracts
the bellows, opening the valve.