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EuroWire – March 2012 42 Euro ire – January 2012
MeTeReD tests carried out on Thermal
energy International’s geM steam traps
by Italcables, an Italian producer of wire
strands for pre-stressed concrete and
post-tensioned structures, have shown
steam savings of up to 30% compared
to mechanical traps. Now, Italcables
has fitted geM traps to its steam baths
and kettle boiler used for ‘pickling’
and treating iron wire strands within
production process.
Steam is a primary energy source at the
company’s facility in Cepagatti, eastern
Italy, and a major cost in the production
process. As the site’s mechanical steam
traps regularly failed, resulting in lost
steam, reduced performance and
additional expenditure, energy manager
Mr Rizzinelli was interested in conducting
a metered trial to validate the energy
savings made with geM.
The mechanical traps fitted to the steam
baths and kettle boiler were replaced by
the geM venturi design and steam meters
utilised to test their performance. The
results showed that the geM traps were
reducing steam consumption by between
20 and 30 per cent.
“I decided to carry out monitored tests
to quantify the amount of steam that
could be saved with the geM traps and
whether there would be a reduction in
condensate,” said Mr Rizzinelli. “The test
results together with the steam meter
readings have proved that the geM traps
save energy and operate well over a wide
range of condensate loads.”
“The fact that such a small device can
obtain such important savings and
provide a fast payback is really good
news,” concluded Mr Rizzinelli. “Thermal
energy International supported us
throughout the project and we hope to
continue this collaboration at other sites
and with other projects.”
Part of the international Portuguese
company Companhia Previdente,
Italcables manufactures three and
seven-wire strands for pre-stressed
concrete and post-tensioned structures
such as viaducts, bridges, dams, tunnels
and foundations. From its two production
facilities the company supplies customers
throughout europe and the Middle east.
Instead of using a valve mechanism to
close off steam for maximum energy
and water conservation, the efficient
geM steam traps use the patented
venturi orifice design to effectively drain
condensate from the steam system.
As this design has no moving parts to
wedge open or fail, it provides reliability,
necessitates only minimal maintenance,
and requires no spares, testing or
monitoring equipment.
Available in a wide range of sizes for a
full cross section of applications, the
hard-wearing geM steam traps are
manufactured from corrosion resistant
stainless steel and are guaranteed for
10 years, eliminating the need for repair
or replacement. The steam traps can
also improve product processing by
enhancing process control of the cleaning
system, and also reducing equipment
repairs, downtime and replacement costs.
Thermal energy International Inc provides
a variety of award-winning energy
efficiency, emission reduction, water
efficiency and bio-energy products
and solutions to industrial, commercial
and institutional markets. Its products
include geM steam traps and condensate
return systems, FLU-ACe direct contact
condensing heat recovery, and Dry Rex
low temperature biomass drying systems.
Thermal energy International is also a
fully accredited professional engineering
firm, and offers advanced process and
applications engineering services.
Thermal Energy International Inc –
Canada
Fax : +1 613 723 7286
Email:
Website:
▲ Italcables is a producer of wire strands for pre-stressed concrete and post-tensioned structures
Steam traps for energy and
water conservation
Technologynews