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check valves

JSPAK
JSPAK Member Posts: 25
in THE MAIN WALL
I work for a school system. The high school has a 1st floor that has about 39 traps and several of them are open.(unable to really pinpoint the bad ones )The traps have never been serviced or changed in 30+ years... so we are looking at rebuilding all of them .My boss got some info on maybe putting a check valve after each trap to prevent steam from traveling back to a good trap from the condensate line should we get a open trap down the line . My question is is the a good idea or is there a reason that i never seen this on other steam systems. The steam pessures are running 4-8 lbs.thx

Comments

  • Al Letellier
    Al Letellier Member Posts: 781
    check valves

    DON'T DO IT.....those check valves will chatter to beat the band. any pressure in the return will force them closed and the high end of steam pressure will force them open and you'll have noise. With traps that bad, you're bound to have some pressure in the returns, 'cause they weren't sized to handle both condensate and steam pressure. the best and only solution is to rebuild/replace the traps. Install a gate valve and union on the discharge and a gate and strainer on the supply side. This will allow service of the trap without shutting down the system. Once repairs are made, establish a regular maintenance program. It will be worth it's weight in gold in reduced operation costs.

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