S$2.00

Q1January - March2008

MICA (P) 074/01/2007

Knowledge, Service & Products

in Search of thePerfect Steam Trap

With decades of knowledge and experience in manufacturing and the application of steam traps, we have been asked many times over why is it that there are so many types of steam trap available in the market and which one is the best type? In all honesty, we do not know! That is.......until we ask you back a barrage of questions. Yes you heard us right. Unless we can obtain a number of data or information from you – our valued customer – we are not in a position to advise or answer your $64k question. In order to determine the most suitable steam trap for your particular application, it is imperative that together we get it right from the start.

Continues on P2 >>>

Cover Story • P1

VISIT YOUR NEAREST SPIRAX SARCO TODAY!Whether it is for some advice or a discussion on optimising your steam plant, you are most welcome to visit any of our Spirax Sarco offices and approved distributors.

With over 40 Spirax Sarco trained professionals in this region ready to volunteer their expertise and services, we are confident that you will find the consultation with us greatly rewarding and beneficial to your company.

Website: www.spiraxsarco.com/sg Email: spiraxsin@sg.spiraxsarco.com

Spirax Sarco Pte Ltd(Hong Kong Branch)

Unit 1507, 15/F, ProsperityCenter, Chong Yip Street,

Kwun Tong, Kowloon,Hong Kong

Tel: (852) 2754 9828Fax: (852) 2754 3660Contact: Alfred Wong

E-mail: sales@spirax.com.hk

HO

NG KONG

Spirax Sarco Pte Ltd (Philippines Branch)

Natividad Building2308 Chino Roces Ave Ext

Makati City, Philippines

Tel: (63) 2812 8654Fax: (63) 2812 8673Contact: Ian AplinE-mail: sales_ph@

sg.spiraxsarco.com

THE P

HILIPPINES

Spirax Sarco Vietnam Rep Offi ce

64 / 22 Pho Quang, Ward 2Tan Binh Dist, Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam

Tel: (84) 08 9974324Fax: (84) 08 4086909

Contact: Nguyen Thanh HaiE-mail: spiraxsarco@

hcm.vnn.vn

VIET

NAM

Spirax Sarco Rep Offi ceJln Zeni No. 4

Mampang ParapatanJakarta 12790, Indonesia

Tel: (62) 021 797 3332Fax: (62) 021 798 2156

Contact: Cosner TambunanE-mail: spiraxsarco.jkt@

petrologmum.co.id

INDONESIA

PT Petrolog Multi Usaha MandiriJln Zeni No. 4

Mampang ParapatanJakarta 12790, Indonesia

Tel: (62) 021 790 1480Fax: (62) 021 798 2156Contact: Budi Setiawan

E-mail: bsetiawan@petrologmum.co.id

PT Centrindo PalmaxBlok.F No.2-3 Kompleks

Brayan, Prima JI. KL. YosSudaruso, Tanjung Mulia

Medan, Indonesia

Tel: (62-61) 6642784-6642785Fax: (62-61) 6642786

Contact: SugiantoE-mail: sales@centrindo.com

Spirax Sarco Pte Ltd(Regional Offi ce)

464 Tagore Industrial AvenueSingapore 787833

Tel: (65) 6 349 0480Fax: (65) 6 459 6854

Contact: Kwek Chin LeongE-mail: KwekChinLeong@

sg.spiraxsarco.com

SINGAPORE

Isolation Valve

Anti-Air Binding DiscIsotub

Sensor Chamber

Diffuser

Check Valve

Sight Glass

Integral Blowdown Valve

TD Trap

<<< Continued from P1

The questions that you can expect from our trained engineers will most definitely include but not restricted to the following list:

Typical Questions Significance

1. What is the steam trap fitted to or used for?

Very important as this will determine the type of trapto offer.

2. Do you know or can you estimate the steam load?

Very important as this will ensure the trap size selectedwill be able to handle the capacity without difficulty.

3. Is this the start-up load or running load?

Not critically important but will affect the start-up time iftrap is sized only on running load. The situation isaggravated if there are frequent shut-downs andstart-ups in the course of the daily operation.

4. Does the system have frequent starts/shut-downs?

If yes, then consider in-built air vent in the trap as this willprevent air-binding in the trap and malfunction.

5. What is the differential pressure available across the trap?

Very important as it is sometimes misunderstood thatthe trap is a “pump” pushing the condensate back to thefeed tank but in actual fact, it is the steam pressure on theupstream of the trap that does this. So unless we knowthe upstream pressure and the back pressure after thetrap (which is the differential pressure), the trap couldbe undersized.

6. If fitted after a heat exchanger, is “stall” condition expected?

Very important as stall – albeit infrequent – will lead toa vacuum condition before the trap and in turn preventcondensate from being discharged effectively.

The list of questions can go on and on such as type of material required, preferred connections, types of certification such as 3.1 mill, USP Class VI or ASME BPE FDA approval, special painting, NACE, weather conditions, installed indoor or outdoor, by-pass valve, depressurization valves, iso-tubs, integral strainer, integral blow-down, etc.

While many think that steam trap is a simple device that allows condensate to be discharged and hold back steam, not many realize that there are myraid factors for consideration to arrive at the correct solution for the best fit as discussed above. The good thing is – whatever the questions there may be for your “perfect” steam trap, you know where to look for the answers.

Please refer to the back page for your nearest Spirax Sarco contact.

Cover Story • P2 Dear TC • P7

Q: What is meant by the term ‘turndown ratio’ of a flowmeter and why is it important?

A: Turndown ratio is the term used to indicate the range of flows over which ameter can operate within its specified accuracy. The figure is determined by dividing maximum flow by minimum flow.

Choosing a meter with the largest possible turndown ratio ensures that it will perform accurately, even with wide changes in demand.

The simple orifice plate meter, for example, while offering accurate, reliable operation, has a turndown limited to 4:1. By comparison, a spring-loaded variable area meter, like the Spirax Sarco DIVA, offers a turndown ratio of 50:1.

In this column, we feature customers’ questions and answers provided by our Technical and Training Manager, Mr Chng Poh Beng.

Simply send your questions marked “Dear TC” to StephanieCheong@sg.spiraxsarco.com or to fax number 65-6459 6854. Kindly indicate if you do not wish to have your name and/or your company’s name published. We reserve the right to edit the questions and not to publish them. If your question is published in Steam Express, you will receive a corporate gift.

Flowrate kg/h

Hours elapsed

Flow

rate

kg/

h

Key

Minimum measurable flowrates, based on a practical steam velocity of 35 ms-1

Spirax Happenings • P3Cool Tips For Hot Issues • P6

Typical steam trapping station

600mm minimum Spirax Sarco Philippines has Moved to a new business location to cater for our growing team. With a stronger team, we strive to further improve and strengthen on our service delivery.

Situated along the busy business district of Makati, the new Spirax Sarco Philippines office is located strategically between the northern and southern part of Manila. Other than the location, our new office also boasts of a more spacious warehouse and office space.

Do drop by to have a tour of our new premises @:

Spirax Sarco Pte Ltd (Phils Branch)Natividad Building, 2308 Chino Roces Ave ExtMakati City, Philippines 1231

: (632) 812 8654 / 810 0109 : (632) 812 8673 : sales_ph@sg.spiraxsarco.com

WHENSMALLSIZEDOESMATTER!Traditional steam trap assemblies or stations require many joints between the trap and isolation valves which, besides being long in length, also pose potential leaks. If you encounter space constraint or cannot tolerate even small leaks from the trap assembly, you may like to consider adopting the Spirax compact steam trapping station solution.

This innovative and thoughtful device comprise of two high integrity piston valves which are integral with the PC series pipeline connector. In addition, it has the option of de-pressurization valves to replace by-pass and vent/test valves.

With the integral isolation valves, you can shorten a typical trap station from 600mm down to 125mm! This is almost an 80% reduction.

The pipeline connector also allows a trap to be easily and quickly replaced in-line without having to break the connecting joints.

Other benefits include lighter in weight and less heat emission.

So when size does matter – turn to the Spirax compact steam trap station solution.

600mm minimum

Upstreamisolation

Downstreamisolation

Bypass Vent Vent/test

Spirax Sarco’s compact steam trapping station

125mm

Product Extension Spirax Sarco FT range of ball float steam trap has been serving

the market faithfully for the last century. The success of thisproduct has been attributed to our believe in constant improvement to the features and benefits to satisfy your diverse application requirement.

The new addition to the Float Trap family is the FTGS14 ball float trap. The FTGS14 was designed to offer perfect condensate drainage and air venting for process, heating and mains drainage applications.

Key Features:Low cost of maintenance: stainlesssteel base has longer shelf life, requirelow maintenance and thereforeminimal system downtime.

Easy to replace: dimensionallyinterchangeable with the FT14.

No live steam loss: achieved byself-aligning and water seal design.

Erosion resistant: improved design has a simplified flow path to reduce erosion.

Effective condensate drainage: modulating valve orifice mechanism thatprovides complete and immediate condensate removal under all positive pressure load conditions.

Quick start-up: integral air vent for maximum venting of air to improve productivity.

Impact resistant: strong float construction guaranteed against waterhammer.

Range and Options:

Product SizeConnections SLR

OptionIn-builtair vent

Flowdirection Material

Screwed Flanged

FTGS14

1⁄2” - DN15 ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸Horizontalleft-to-rightor right-to-

left

BaseStainless

steel

CoverElectroless

nickel plated SG iron

3⁄4” - DN20 ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸1” - DN25 ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸1” HC ¸ ¸ ¸

IFTGS14

1⁄2” ¸ ¸ Horizontal right-to-left

when looking at the name

plate3⁄4” ¸ ¸

was designed to offer perfect condensate drainage and air venting for process, heating and mains drainage applications.

stainlesssteel base has longer shelf life, require

improved design has a simplified flow path to reduce erosion.

New Product With growing market demand for the use of Clean and Pure steam

in plants, Spirax Sarco has further expanded our Clean Steam range of products to satisfy your diverse application needs.

The latest in our Clean Steam range of products is CS10 – the Clean Steam Separators to remove entrained moisture from Clean and Pure Steam systems.

Key Features:Designed to exceed the steam dryness value of0.95 as per standards EN285 and HTM2010.

Unique, patent pending design with removablebaffle plate design to facilitate periodicde-rouging and inspection.

Designed in accordance with the latest standardof the ASME BPE guide for theBiopharmaceutical industry.

Fully traceable 316L stainless steel materialthroughout to ensure system integrity.

All elastomers compliant to FDA regulation.

Range and Options:

Type Size Surface Finish Welds Connections Options

CS10-1 1⁄2” – 2” 0.5µm Ra Ground smooth and polished

Sanitary clamp or Tube weld ends Electropolishing

CS10-2 1⁄2” – 2” 0.75µm Ra Left as laid Sanitary clamp or Tube weld ends -

Product Highlights • P4 Product Highlights • P5

All elastomers compliant to FDA regulation.

No live steam loss: achieved byself-aligning and water seal design.

Effective condensate drainage: modulating valve orifice mechanism thatprovides complete and immediate condensate removal under all positive pressure load conditions.