Less can be more

Are you abusing your steam control valves through the unnecessary practise of OVER SIZING? We have choices here people and the key to success is having the right flow conditions from the start.

Now I know what you are thinking – “thanks Greg, you are truly the Newton of our time!”, but honestly, it can be pretty painless to size a valve accurately and far better than over-estimating or indeed indulging in the heinous crime of automatically matching the pipe size!

So what if the valve is only 50% open at full load. Right? Wrong! Also consider dwell periods, where the valve might only be 5% open. Valves that spend prolonged periods near to their closed position are likely to “wire draw”. An effect where condensate cuts a path through the valve trim, reducing even the very best valve to…..less a valve and more an orifice!

Of course there are things you can do. A good start would be to choose a partner that works with steam every day.