5
Operation
Principles of air and condensate discharge:
1. Start-up Air and Cold Condensate
Discharge
At start-up, before steam is supplied, the
system is cold and the bimetal air vent strip
is expanded, holding the float off of the
orifice. This allows for the rapid discharge
of air and cold condensate through the
orifice when steam is first supplied to the
system. After the discharge of initial air and
cold condensate, the heat of the inflowing
steam and condensate cause the bimetal
air vent strip to contract.
2. Condensate Discharge
As steam is supplied, condensate flow
begins. The rising condensate level causes
the float to rise due to buoyancy, opening
the orifice and allowing condensate to be
discharged.
3. Closed Position
When the condensate flow rate decreases,
the float falls, closing off the orifice
opening. A water seal is maintained at all
times over the orifice to prevent steam loss.
Air
Steam
Condensate
172-65119MAJ-03 (SS3/SS5) 25 Feb 2014
