12 | Baker Hughes
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Drains and Pipe Slopes
The SteamForm valve must never be used as a
condensate trap for the steam line. When condensate
is passed through the trim of the SteamForm, flashing
occurs as the condensate reacts to the pressure
reduction. The flashing of the condensate erodes the
surface of finished parts and can fragment the surface
of the valve’s diffuser. This is avoided by properly
designing the piping system to slope away from the valve
and installing drain connections at all low points of the
piping system. Figures 7 through 10 show four possible
installation scenarios and the desired location of drain
connections to protect the SteamForm from passing
condensate.
Drain connections can also be supplied by the factory
for installation that results in the body of the SteamForm
acting as the low point of the piping system. The
locations of the SteamForm valve body drains are shown
in Figures 9 and 10.
Drain connections must also be located at all
downstream low points of the piping system to remove
excess water that has fallen out of the steam flow during
service. This preventative design will reduce the risk of
water hammer induced damage.
Figure 8:
Vertical flow down outlet orientation, should
be located at low point downstream
Figure 9:
Drain vertical flow up inlet orientation, drain should
be located at low point upstream
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