EoW March 2012

Technologynews

Steam traps for energy and water conservation

▲ Italcables is a producer of wire strands for pre-stressed concrete and post-tensioned structures

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 : general@thermalenergy.com Website : www.thermalenergy.com

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,

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

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EuroWire – March 2012 Euro ire – January 2012