Air Traps are key devices in gas pipeline systems, automatically discharging condensate, oil, and non-condensable gases. Commonly made of stainless steel or ductile iron, Air Traps are characterized by their sensitive operation and continuous drainage, and are widely used in compressed air pipelines, gas tanks, and air purification equipment.
The basic principle of an air traps is to automatically drain water (or liquid) from gas tanks, gas equipment, and non-condensable gas pipelines without causing gas leakage. This maintains pipeline pressure balance, prevents oxidation and corrosion, and ensures stable and efficient system operation.
Types include free-floating ball type, lever-floating ball type, and inverted bucket type. Vacuum devices used for air pipelines are called air traps, while those used for non-condensable gas pipelines are called vent valves.
Speaking of vent valves, what is the difference between air traps and drain valves? Air traps and drain valves play distinctly different roles in industrial pipeline systems. Despite their similar names, their functions, working principles, and application scenarios are fundamentally different.
| Comparison Dimensions | Air Trap | Drain Valve |
| Main functions | Automatically removes condensate, oil, and non-condensable gases (such as air) from pipelines, while simultaneously preventing steam leakage. | Completely empties residual media (gas or liquid) from pipelines during equipment shutdown or maintenance, ensuring system safety. |
| Operating Status | Continuously operates during system operation to maintain pipeline pressure balance. | Activated during non-operational or emergency situations; operation is intermittent. |
| Control Objectives | Maintain media purity to prevent oxidation, corrosion, and water hammer. | Eliminate residual pressure/media to ensure maintenance safety or prevent freezing. |
In summary, air traps are automatic purification devices during operation, primarily addressing the issues of “vapor blockage and drainage, oil removal and sewage discharge”; while drain valves are safety devices during shutdown, focusing on “complete venting, freeze protection, and explosion prevention.” The two work together to improve system efficiency and safety, but they are not interchangeable. Practical application requires comprehensive selection based on media type, pressure parameters, and operating frequency.
Air traps offer advantages such as long service life, good energy efficiency, water hammer resistance, and aesthetically pleasing appearance, and are widely used in compressed air or non-condensable gas storage tanks, pipelines, and air separation equipment.
If you are looking for high-quality air traps, you might want to learn about Newton VMV.
VMV applies a flexible shut-off system to air traps, solving the problems of short service life and poor sealing. During the design process, factors such as shell strength, pressure and temperature resistance ratings, casting process, fluid flow path, the impact of water vapor mixing, the closure of the auxiliary water seal, and the strength of the valve cover gasket in low-temperature environments are fully considered.
The working principle of an air trap is based on the density difference between steam and condensate. When the valve body is filled with non-condensable gas, the gas is discharged through the balancing pipe, and condensate enters the steam trap. The float moves upward, causing the valve core to open. After the condensate is discharged, the float again causes the valve core to move downward, closing the drain valve.
Air Traps offer advantages such as long service life, reliable operation, convenient maintenance, and no pre-existing steam leakage. Their greatest advantage is their ability to operate at pressures as low as 0.1 bar.
Furthermore, the VMV type air trap boasts a unique and rationally designed structure and high-precision internal components!
- High corrosion resistance: Made of WCB material. The design fully considers corrosion allowance, minimum shell wall thickness, pressure rating, and temperature rating.
- Flexible shut-off system: Employs a single valve seat and flexible shut-off system to ensure an ultra-long service life and precise shut-off performance.
- Pressure balancing flange: Built-in pressure balancing pipe effectively prevents air blockage.
- Stainless steel float: The laser-welded float is flawless, ensuring the steam trap’s service life.
- Built-in filter: Effectively prevents impurities from entering the valve, ensuring normal operation of the steam trap and preventing water hammer damage to internal components.
- Unique float assembly: The precisely calculated float assembly structure allows the shut-off system to operate in a water-sealed state, with no steam leakage.
If Newton’s air traps meet your needs, don’t hesitate to contact us anytime.
