Venturis

Steam Trapping in Industrial Steam Systems – The use of steam is the optimal way to perform certain types of work in industry. One of the keys to the safe and efficient use of steam is in how the condensate is removed while the steam remains trapped during and after the heat transfer processes. Traditional technologies to trap steam and eliminate condensate include pulsing traps with moving parts that fail over time.

Introduction of Fixed Orifice Technologies – An innovation introduced in the 1960s in the US Navy was fixed orifice plates and later nozzles (venturis), basically a permanent part with no moving parts, but which requires proper engineering in order to successfully implement. When the patents for venturis lapsed in the 1980s, many companies began innovating on product development and marketing. To date, only a small percentage of the world market has adapted to using venturis for steam trapping.

Venturi Assembly – The venturi assembly consists of the venturi unit married to a Y-strainer with a screen mesh smaller than the orifice of the unit to protect the orifice and a blowdown valve to clear out the screen of the Y-strainer for maintenance and troubleshooting.

Figure 2 – Steam Loss Curves under varying Control Pressure

Venturi Unit – The eSteamG venturi unit is made from 316 stainless steam, shaped like a funnel that constricts the flow of steam and condensate, thus adding turbulence to an already turbulent environment upstream of the orifice. This turbulence and the venturi effect allow the unit to hold back steam even when the orifice is only partially filled or occupied with condensate. This allows the venturi to handle a wider variation of load at a given pressure than can be done with a simple orifice.

Venturi Best Practices – eSteamG continues to recognize the best practice of marrying the venturi unit to a suitable Y-strainer and a blow-down valve. Each component performs a critical function. eSteamG will work with seasoned venturi users who recognize this best practice and offer the venturi unit alone.

Installation Guide – Refer to figure 3 for guidance on typical installations.

Refer to the **eSteamG Venturi User Manual** for more detailed information and best practices.

eSteamG Product Selection

eSteamG offers venturi assemblies for socket-weld or threaded pipe with body sizes ½”, ¾”, and 1” as standard products. These come standard with either the gate or ball valve or without.

eSteamG offers eSteamG venturi units to fit socket-weld or threaded pipe with body sizes ½”, ¾”, and 1” as standard products.

eSteamG offers Mueller Y-Strainers to fit socket-weld or threaded pipe with body sizes ½”, ¾”, and 1” as standard products.

eSteamG offers Velan Gate Valves – ¼” for the ½” Mueller Y-Strainer and 3/8” for the ¾” and 1” Mueller Y-Strainer as standard products.

eSteamG offers Keckley Ball Valves – ¼” for the ½” Mueller Y-Strainer and 3/8” for the ¾” and 1” Mueller Y-Strainer as standard products.

eSteamG offers custom products, including custom flanged assemblies for special applications.

*SEQ Figure – Custom Flanged Assembly used in Refinery in Alberta*

D2205_flanged_drawing — SEQ Figure – Drawing for Duplex 2205 Custom Flanged Assembly

eSteamG can offer custom assemblies made from special materials.