Gem steam traps provide fast payback for Italcables 16 December 2011

Steam savings of 20—30% have been recorded by Italcables in trials comparing Thermal Energy International's Gem steam traps against mechanical traps.

So impressed is the company, which is Italy's largest producer of wire strands for pre-stressed concrete and post-tensioned structures, that it has now fitted Gem venturi steam traps to its steam baths and kettle boiler production plant.

Energy Manager Mr Rizzinelli explains that steam is a primary energy source at its Cepagatti, Eastern Italy plant, and a major cost in the production process. Installing the Gem traps, he says, has eliminated the problem of mechanical steam traps regularly failing, resulting in lost steam, reduced performance and additional expenditure.

"The test results, together with the steam meter readings, have proved that the Gem traps save energy and operate well over a wide range of condensate loads," states Rizzinelli.

"The fact that such a small device can obtain such important savings and provide a fast payback is really good news," hew adds. "Thermal Energy International supported us throughout the project and we hope to continue this collaboration at other sites and with other projects."

Instead of using a valve mechanism to close off steam for energy and water conservation, Gem steam traps use a patented venturi orifice design to drain condensate from the steam system. As these steam traps have no moving parts to wedge open or fail, they are proving highly reliable, necessitating only minimal maintenance and requiring no spares, testing or monitoring equipment.

Brian Tinham

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