Abstract: A steam boiler having a water blow down in which the blowdown rate is automatically controlled in response to the flow rate and impurity level of the make up water so as to maintain the boiler water impurity level below a specified concentrations.

Abstract: A flowmeter utilizing the property of dry saturated steam that the density of the steam is dependent upon the temperature thereof has a first sensor that is a rotation sensor (1) which includes a flap (14) which is disposed in a steam flow passage (12) to be deflected by steam flow so as to rotate a rotatable member (4) of the rotation sensor, and a second sensor that is a temperature sensor (20) for sensing the temperature of the flowing steam. Signals from these two sensors (1, 20) which are, respectively, dependent upon steam flow, and steam temperature and hence density, are processable in process means for obtaining the true mass flow rate of the steam. For other fluids, such as superheated steam, the flowmeter has a third sensor which is a pressure transducer, signals from the three sensor being processable in process means for obtaining the true mass flow rate.

Abstract: There is provided, in a thermostatic steam trap that can operate in either of two modes merely dependent upon which way round the trap is connected in a steam flow line, a temperature-responsive element (9) in which there is a valve member (23) that projects from a housing (16) of the element (10) to an extent dependent upon movement of a diaphragm (19) within the housing (16). Movement of the valve member (23) out of the housing (16) to close on a seat (6) is opposed by a spring clip (8), arms (14) of which embrace the outside of the housing (16), so that if the diaphragm (19) fails the trap as a whole fails with the valve (23/6) open. Conveniently the spring clip (8) serves a further function in that lugs (15) of the clip locate on a wall of the valve seat (6) to locate the element (9) in the trap.

Abstract: There is provided, in a thermostatic steam trap that can operate in either of two modes merely dependent upon which way round the trap is connected in a steam flow line, a temperature-responsive element (9) in which there is a valve member (23) that projects from a housing (16) of the element (10) to an extent dependent upon movement of a diaphragm (19) within the housing (16). Movement of the valve member (23) out of the housing (16) to close on a seat (6) is opposed by a spring clip (8), arms (14) of which embrace the outside of the housing (16), so that if the diaphragm (19) fails the trap as a whole fails with the valve (23/6) open. Conveniently the spring clip (8) serves a further function in that lugs (15) of the clip locate on a wall of the valve seat (6) to locate the element (9) in the trap.

Abstract: A disc valve member (5) is disclosed that can be fitted to a thermodynamic steam trap (1) without modification of the trap. The disc valve member has an internal chamber (7) and perforated portions (8,9) through which air can escape from a chamber (6) in which the disc valve member floats when fitted in a trap, it being desirable that such air escape should be possible during start-up conditions in a steam line. At normal operating temperature, a bi-metal disc (10) within the internal chamber (7) of the disc valve member is snapped-over to a position in which the path for air escape from the trap chamber (6) is closed, and the disc valve member operates as an imperforate member.

Abstract: A thermostatic steam trap having a balanced pressure thermostatic element (2,2A,2B) operated by volatile fluid (15) is disclosed in which an internal void (10) of the element is open to steam/condensate within the trap, and in which the volatile fluid fills a housing (6) outside the element when the trap is fully open thereby to support the element against high pressure within the element. In the trap fully-closed condition the element adopts a nearly nesting condition so that if the element is then subjected to higher pressure externally it adopts a fully nesting condition in which it can withstand great external pressure.

Abstract: Temperature dependent actuating mechanism comprising a temperature responsive sensor including a variable volume chamber in fluid communication with a chamber in an actuator containing a variable volume member connected with an operating member; the sensor further including temperature responsive means change in volume of which brought about by a rise in temperature increases the interior volume of said variable volume chamber to permit fluid to flow out of said actuator chamber and the volume of said variable volume member to increase with resultant movement of the operating member.