🔍 Key Concepts

• Thermodynamic steam trap operation – how condensate vs. flash steam act on the disc/seat • Relationship between pressure drop and flashing of hot condensate (saturation pressure vs. actual pressure) • Flow path at points A, B, H, and I in the illustration – what fills these spaces when condensate turns to steam

💭 Think About

• Trace the path of hot condensate from the inlet at A, through the restriction at B, and into the chamber around H and I. Under what condition will it stay liquid instead of flashing into steam? • In a thermodynamic steam trap, does flow of condensate continue when flash steam forms at the seat, or when condensate remains subcooled (still below boiling for its pressure)? • Look carefully at areas H and I: what happens to the disc and the outlet flow if these spaces fill with steam instead of liquid condensate?

✅ Before You Answer

• Be clear on the difference between saturation pressure and actual system pressure at B for the given condensate temperature • Identify which options describe flashing of condensate to steam at B and which describe no flashing • Before choosing, confirm which condition (flashing vs. no flashing) allows the trap to keep passing condensate through the outlet