Products
Float and Thermostatic

Float & Thermostatic Steam Traps

F&Ts contain a float-operated valve to continually discharge condensate and a thermostatic air vent which discharges air. Body materials available are Cast Iron, Ductile Iron, Cast Steel, & Stainless Steel for pressure up to 450 psig. F&Ts are the most commonly used trap for the majority of process applications. These traps are also suitable for drip applications on pressures 30 psig & below.

  • F&Ts quickly respond to load and pressure changes
  • Discharge large amounts of air present at start-up which allow steam to quickly enter the system.
Model Characteristics Material Application
WFT Parallel Pipe Connection Cast Iron

Primary Selection for Low to Medium Capacity
General Purpose Process Applications

Smaller sizes can also be used for Drip Applications

FTT
FTTS		 In-Line Pipe Connection FTT: Ductile Iron
FTTS: Stainless Steel

FTE
FTES

 High-Capacity FTE:  Ductile Iron
FTES: Cast Steel		 High Capacity Process Applications

FT600
FT601

 In-Line Pipe  Connection
 FT600: Carbon Steel
FT601: Stainless Steel		 Higher Pressure Application
FT Parallel Pipe Connection (H-pattern) Cast Iron

Primary Selection for Low to Medium Capacity
General Purpose Process Applications up to 75 psig

Smaller sizes can also be used for Drip Applications

Float & Thermostatic Applications

F&T steam traps are the most common trap type used for process applications. They use a float-operated valve mechanism to discharge condensate as it is formed, and an air vent for discharging air at start-up; both very important requirements for process applications.
The WFT and FTT-Series with Iron bodies, are suitable for most general purpose process applications.
The FTE-Series are used for extremely high capacity applications.
The FT600 Series with Cast Steel bodies; are capable of higher pressures and often required in Chemical and Petrochemical refineries and other industries.

Process Application for Float & Thermostatic Traps

Jacketed Kettle

As the name implies, Jacketed Kettles have a Jacket of Steam surrounding the outside of a Kettle. They are commonly used in the food and beverage industry for indirect heating of the contents in the kettle. F&T traps are the most commonly used trap on process applications due to their high condensate handling ability and superior air handling during start-up. This application demonstrates the use of the FTT model Float and Thermostatic steam trap with in-line pipe connections.

Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger

Shell & Tube heat exchangers are used for continuous processes such as heating a continuous flow of water or other liquid. F&T traps quickly respond to rapidly changing loads and pressures common to this application. They also discharge large amounts of air present at start up which allows steam to quickly enter the system.

Multi-Bank Air Heating Coils/ Air Handling Unit (AHU)

For certain Industrial Heating and Drying applications, several Air Heating coils of various sizes may be set up in series to accommodate the process. The heat load of each coil should be taken into account when sizing the steam traps. It’s preferable to have a separate steam trap on each individual coil.

Rotating Steam Dryer

Commonly found in the Paper Making industry, a rotating piece of equipment offers a unique challenge of removing the condensate. Steam inside a rotating drum cylinder is used to heat product such as sheets of paper over the outside surface of the drum. Since the drum is rotating, the trap must be positioned above the condensate collection point. The steam pressure inside the drum pushes the condensate up through the pipe to the steam trap. If steam enters the tubing, it will “Steam Lock” the trap by causing it to close which in turn causes the condensate to build up inside the rotating drum. Since the pipe line is surrounded by steam, it may take an extended length of time for the steam in the pipe to dissipate. By using the Steam Lock Release feature, a small amount of steam is continually discharged thru the seat, allowing the condensate to continually reach the steam trap. This steam lock release feature is available on ALL F&T and Thermostatic traps and should be considered on this type of application.

Instantaneous Steam to Hot Water Heater (Heat Miser)

Pre-packaged water heating systems such as the Heat Miser are popular choices for heating domestic water with steam. They can be designed to handle wide variations in flow demand, depending on how much hot water is needed at a particular time of day. Float & thermostatic steam traps are the primary selection for these and similar water heating packages based on their ability to adjust to wide variations in flow rate, as well as their ability to discharge air for fast start-up.

Drip Application for Float & Thermostatic Traps

Steam Main Drip Application

The Float & Thermostatic (F&T) Steam Trap is the primary choice for process applications. However, for drip applications, they can be effectively used for pressures up to 125 psig on the WFT Series & 225 psig on the FTT Series; for higher pressures, the larger body sizes required make F&T traps a less economical and desirable solution for drip service. The 3/4" WFT-125, or 1/2" & 3/4" FTT-225 will meet the capacity needs of most drip applications. Other PMO (maximum operating pressure) ranges available. For drip applications, select a PMO that meets or exceeds the maximum pressure in the main steam distribution piping.

Steam Separator

Separators are used on steam mains and steam supply lines to remove entrained water in the steam. Steam flows through the separator and the condensate falls by gravity to the bottom where it needs to be discharged through a steam trap. F&T traps are recommended for this application.

Float & Thermostatic Traps

F&T steam traps are the most common trap type used for process applications. They use a float-operated valve mechanism to discharge condensate as it is formed, and an air vent for discharging air at start-up; both very important requirements for process applications.

Venting Air

Prior to the steam being turn on the piping system, heat exchanger and trap are filled with air which is much cooler than steam. The thermostatic air vent will be in the wide open position. During startup this air will be pushed through the air vent by the incoming steam into the condensate return line.

Discharging Condensate

When condensate enters the trap, the float lifts which opens the valve, allowing condensate to discharge.

Closed (Trapping Steam)

When steam is present, and no condensate is entering the trap, the valve and thermostatic air vent remain closed, trapping steam in the system.

WFT Series

WFT-Series Float and Thermostatic Steam Traps have Cast Iron Bodies ••• Parallel Port Connections ••• 250 psig Operating Pressures ••• Stainless Steel Internals. Typically used on steam process applications such as unit heaters, pressing machines, heat exchangers, steam coils. They contain a welded stainless steel thermostatic air vent for rapid air removal on system start-up and all stainless steel internals.

Size Connection PMO (PSIG) Max Capacity
3/4" - 2" NPT 250 11,000 lbs/hr

FT Series

FT-Series Float and Thermostatic Steam Traps have Cast Iron Bodies ••• H-Pattern Piping Connections ••• 75 psig Operating Pressures ••• Stainless Steel Internals. Typically used on lower pressure HVAC and light industrial steam process applications such as unit heaters, pressing machines, heat exchangers, steam coils. Contain a welded stainless steel thermostatic air vent for rapid air removal on system start-up. The dual inlet-outlet H-Pattern connection allows for additional flexibility in installation.

Size Connection PMO (PSIG) Max Capacity
3/4" - 2" NPT 75 12,500 lbs/hr

FTT / FTTS Series

FTT-Series have Ductile Iron Bodies and FTTS-Series have Stainless Steel Bodies. These Float and Thermostatic Steam Traps have In-Line Pipe Connections ••• All Stainless Steel Internals ••• 300 psig Operating Pressures. Typically used on steam process applications such as unit heaters, water heaters, pressing machines, heat exchangers, steam coils. Contain a high-quality welded stainless steel thermostatic air vent and all stainless steel internals. F&T traps have excellent air handling capability, making them the preferred choice for most process applications.

Size Connection PMO (PSIG) Max Capacity
1/2" - 2" NPT,SW,FLG(150) 300 61,300 lbs/hr

FTE / FTES Series - High Capacity

FTE-Series have Ductile Iron Bodies and FTES-Series have Cast Steel Bodies. These Float and Thermostatic Steam Traps are intended for use on steam process applications with very high condensate load requirements. Examples include re-boilers, absorption chillers, large air-handling equipment and heat exchangers. They contain a high quality welded stainless steel thermostatic air vent and all stainless internals. F&T traps have excellent air-handling capability, making them the preferred choice for most process applications.

Size Connection PMO (PSIG) Max Capacity
1-1/2" - 2-1/2" NPT 200 105,000 lbs/hr

FT600 / FT601 Series - Cast Steel or Stainless Steel

FT600-Series have Cast Steel Bodies and FT601-Series have Stainless Steel Bodies. These Float and Thermostatic Steam Traps have Stainless Steel Internals ••• 450 psig Operating Pressures and intended for applications with Higher Pressures or where Steel Bodies are specified. Traps with Steel Bodies are often required in chemical plants and petrochemical refineries and used on re-boilers, heat exchangers, and other process applications.

   
Size Connection PMO (PSIG) Max Capacity
3/4" - 4" NPT,SW,FLG(150,300,600) 450 290,000 lbs/hr

Universal UFT450

PROCESS, DRIP: the UFT450 F&T Steam Trap Module can be used on small process equipment which generated light condensate loads. UFT450 traps have excellent air handling capability also can be used in drip service on steam mains and steam supply lines. Mounts to any Universal Connector.