History
Over 35 years ago, the US Navy had investigated steam trapping techniques in order to cut down on their steam trap operation and maintenance costs. After EIGHT YEARS (8) of testing, it was reasoned and determined by the US Navy, the FIXED ORIFICE produced the least steam loss over all other conventional steam traps tested. In fact, steam losses with the ORIFICE was minute. Reliability, and efficiency being of prime importance, they wanted equipment that will function reliably while deployed at sea. There was unquestionable evidence of the large energy savings. The researchers included in their testing of the orifices in the following industries:
Petrochemical
Paper
Steel
Manufacturing
Pharmaceutical
Textile Industries
Heating & Air Conditioning of Buildings
The US Navy was so extremely impressed with the researchers work with the orifice steam trap, they outfitted their ENTIRE FOSSIL FUEL FLEET of OVER 300 SHIPS, at the time. The FLEET expeditiously moved to buy material to install orifices FLEET WIDE.
Testing was done on the following SHIPS:
USS SARATOGA
USS CONSTELLATION
USS AMERICA
USS KENNEDY
USS INTREPID
It is not too hard to understand the skepticism with regards to the orifices performance. It appears too simple and "TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE". It is relatively simple, but with the advanced technology, new materials, engineering and a better understanding of steam systems, it has made the Orifice effective. There is substantial data accumulated regarding the performance of orifices in condensate removal systems.
In plants with large steam consumption, the results are even more dramatic. In many cases, the total cost of CONVERTING the steam traps to fixed orifices was less than the fuel savings for ONE MONTH. With the added benefit of elimination of maintenance costs.
A good reference on steam in general with Chapter 6 detailing steam using fixed orifices is The Steam Trap Handbook.
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Anchors Aweigh with Your Problems!
