Task and function
Purpose
The test equipment VKP 40plus is designed for
checking steam traps for steam loss and banking-
up condensate.
The test equipment VKP 40plus Ex is designed for
checking steam traps in explosion-risk areas for
steam loss and banking-up of condensate.
To perform the test you have the following test
options:
Test jobs prepared on the computer: all test
objects that are part of the test job are shown.
Test measurement: A test job is created during
the test.
During the test procedure the surface temperature
of the tested steam trap is also measured, which
makes it possible to detect steam traps that cause
banking-up of condensate. In order to do so you
have to enter the design service pressure of the test
object on the upstream side. The boiling point
associated with this service pressure is then
compared with the temperature reading. If the
measured temperature is 40 % below the set point,
the steam trap is waterlogged and banking up
condensate.
If the test results are affected by noise produced by
other components of the plant you can perform a
foreign noise measurement. This will help you to
test and evaluate the influence of foreign noise on
the test results.
The test objects are selected and the test results
evaluated on the computer. The necessary software
program is part of the scope of supply. For more
information on the program refer to the supplied
software operating manual.
Function
Ultrasonic vibrations are generated when fluid flows
through a steam trap. These ultrasonic vibrations
are sensed by pressing the sensor tip of the hand-
held measuring probe onto the test point of the
steam trap. A thermocouple integrated in the
measuring probe measures the temperature
simultaneously.
The measuring probe then translates the readings
into digital signals. These signals are then
transferred to the Com Box via the firmly attached
cable. The Com Box then transfers the readings to
the data collector via Bluetooth. The data collector
records the data and displays the readings visually.
To operate the GESTRA program you do
not need the keypad of the data collector.
All necessary inputs can be made using
the touch screen display of the data
collector.
The data collector for explosion-risk areas can be
connected to a computer via the supplied docking
station.
The data collector that is not explosion proof can be
connected to a computer via USB port.
The test readings can then be transferred to a data
base on the computer.
The evaluation of the test results is based on limit
sound values (LV). These reference sound values
have been ascertained empirically by the
manufacturer.
A steam trap does not leak steam if all the following
requirements are met:
at least one of the readings is below the
threshold value (TV) and
the measured temperature is 40 % above the
set point
A steam trap is also functioning correctly if all the
following requirements are met:
some readings are above the threshold value
and
the mean value of all readings of the test does
not reach the limit sound value
If this is not the case the steam trap is either faulty
or the test was affected by foreign noise. To detect
any foreign noises you should perform a foreign
noise measurement. In this case after the test you
will be asked to do so by the menu of the data
collector.
For thermodynamic steam traps a certain limit
frequency of operations is used to evaluate its
performance.
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