Steam Trap Survey Accuracy is Critical

Managers and operators of steam using facilities are well aware of the need for pro-active steam trap maintenance practices. Many facilities believe (with good reason) that periodic surveys of their steam trap population are an important part of good maintenance practice. But, efficient operation is threatened by survey results that rely on best-guess methods that tell users little more about their steam traps than “good” or “bad.”

Marspec, along with our TLV partners, provide in-depth analysis of steam trap operating condition via the TLV TrapMan? System. Only TrapMan? provides a steam trap test with accuracy validated by Lloyds Registry. Each steam trap surveyed with the TrapMan? device (by a highly trained surveyor) and reported via TrapManager? results in a test that provides the client with details such as:

•         Condition
•        If failed open, the degree of failure
•        If failed open, a calculated  amount of annual steam loss
•         Annual dollar loss if failed open
•         Excess CO2 produced if failed open
•         Impact on production for failed closed traps
•         Estimated cost of replacement
•         Payback period
•         Historical trending
•         Industry bench marking
•        And much more

Compare this to steam trap “surveys” that rely on a possibly inexperienced “surveyor” that may do nothing more than note details of the steam trap and location and then provide their best guess.

Marspec’s steam trap surveys include daily meetings with the client (if desired) to bring them up to date on the survey’s findings as it plays out. A wrap-up meeting ends the field work and the TrapMan? surveyor then goes to work on the report that will be presented to the client in person.

Should there be findings that indicate larger system problems in the client’s facility, the Marspec and TLV Team can work to help identify and define those issues. Some examples found in recent surveys included stalling heat exchangers, undersized condensate returns, inappropriate steam trap application and poor condensate recovery. Marspec and TLV can help steam users root out these problems and, if need be, TLV can provide highly-qualified field engineering assistance at reasonable rates.

Steam trap surveys can be the cornerstone of an effective steam trap maintenance program. Make sure your cornerstone provides you the best foundation. Give us a call to set up your demonstration of TrapMan?.