Bucket Traps
Advantages
Completely drains condensate at saturation
temperature.
Open bucket will tolerate moderate
water hammer.
Available in pressures up to 250 psig.
Normal failure mode is open.
Cast iron bodies.
Disadvantages
Marginal air handling during start-up.
Cycles fully open or closed.
May lose prime during light loads and blow
live steam.
Requires manual priming to provide
water seal.
Does not withstand freezing temperatures.
Primary Applications
Process main drip traps.
Where condensate is lifted or drains into wet
return line.
Drum type roller dryers.
Steam separators.
Siphon type or tilting kettles.
6
INLET
OUTLET
COVER
BODY
V
BUCKET
A
STEAM BUBBLES
THROUGH WATER
INLET
OUTLET
COVER
BODY
V
BUCKET
A
STEAM BUBBLES
THROUGH WATER
INLET
OUTLET
COVER
BODY
V
BUCKET
A
BUCKET TRAP
The trap body must be manually primed at ini-
tial start-up. Under operation the body will
remain full of condensate.
During start-up, air is vented through the
bleed hole in the top of the bucket into the
return line.
Condensate entering the trap will flow around
the bucket and drain through the open seat.
BUCKET TRAP
As steam flows into the trap it collects in the
top of the bucket. The buoyancy of the steam
raises the bucket and closes the seat.
BUCKET TRAP WITH OPTIONAL
THERMAL VENT.
An optional thermal vent installed in the buck-
et allows faster air venting during start-up.
