Steam traps save energy for Boots

A GEM product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 5, 2007

Prior to the installation of the GEM traps, Energy Centre Manager, Paul Egner found that the mechanical traps failed on a regular basis necessitating their overhaul or replacement.

The Boots group is systematically replacing steam traps at its Energy Centre with Gardner Energy Management's, GEM traps following the successful installation of GEM traps on the Energy Centres' hot water calorifiers.

Since then, around 30 GEM traps have been installed onto other applications including boilers, super heaters and the steam distribution systems.

The 15MW Energy Centre, located in Beeston, Nottingham services the company's Head office, production, and distribution facilities.

Prior to the installation of the GEM traps, Energy Centre Manager, Paul Egner found that the mechanical traps failed on a regular basis necessitating their overhaul or replacement.

Approached by GEM to install the Venturi Orifice GEM trap, he was at first sceptical but agreed to trial the trap.

"We first installed a GEM trap onto one of our pressured hot water calorifiers which was sized to allow the calorifiers to operate from cold start-up all through its range", says Paul.

"The trap worked well and we soon installed GEM on all four calorifiers".

Instead of using a valve mechanism to close off steam for maximum energy and water conservation, the highly efficient GEM steam traps use the patented venturi orifice design to effectively drain condensate from the steam system.

As the GEM steam traps have no moving parts to wedge open or fail, it provides the ultimate in reliability necessitating only minimal maintenance and requiring no spares, testing or monitoring equipment.

"There is always a problem when attempting to quantifying energy savings precisely but there is overwhelming evidence that GEM traps save energy and therefore reduce carbon emissions over thermodynamic and float type traps", concluded Paul Egner.

"Since we have been retrofitting GEM not a single trap has required maintenance except filter cleaning".

"We have now standardised GEM on all our applications both within the Energy Centre and on the steam distribution systems across the site".

"In lots of places traps are located in difficult to access areas and in underground ductings".

"Any reduction in labour and having to reach traps in difficult areas is both a cost saving and a health and safety advantage".

Available in a wide range of sizes for a full cross section of applications, the hardwearing GEM steam traps are manufactured from corrosion-resistant stainless steel and are guaranteed for 10 years, obviating the need for repair or replacement.

The GEM steam traps provide a fast payback - on some processes within a matter of days - from reduced energy costs and increased equipment reliability due to a reduction in damaging condensate in steam systems.

In addition it improves product processing by enhancing the quality of steam and also reducing equipment repairs, downtime and replacement costs.