Condensate Rectifier

Abstract

To provide a condensate rectifier having a simpler configuration. [Solution] A steam trap (10) as a condensate rectifier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a nozzle member (20) provided in a steam flow path (P) in a steam piping system (S), the nozzle member (20) having first holes (32) and second holes (34) that are continuous with the first holes (32) and are wider than the first holes (32), and a partition wall (36) that separates an inlet (10i) and an outlet (10o), such that when the nozzle member (20) is attached to the partition wall (36), the inlet (10i) and the outlet (10o) communicate with each other via the first holes (32) and the second holes (34). In the steam flow path (P), the first holes (32) are positioned upstream of the second holes (34) and vertically below the second holes (34).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a condensate rectifier such as a steam trap. [Background technology]

[0002] In various facilities such as factories and offices that use steam as a heating source via a heat exchanger, steam traps are used to automatically discharge drainage (condensate formed when steam condenses) that occurs in steam-using equipment and in the steam transport piping between these equipment. This is to ensure that the high-temperature, high-pressure steam obtained from the boiler is kept at an appropriate temperature in the steam-using equipment, such as heaters, dryers, and space heaters, which are used in the heat exchanger, as well as in the steam transport piping that connects these boilers to the steam-using equipment. This prevents the occurrence of the steam hammer phenomenon, for example.

[0003] There are various types of steam traps. For example, mechanical steam traps (bucket type and float type), thermostatic steam traps (bimetal type and bellows type), and thermodynamic steam traps (disk type) are steam traps with moving parts. Steam traps without any moving parts include nozzle-type steam traps, such as orifice nozzle type, Venturi nozzle type, and tunnel-structure resistance tube type (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Nozzle-type steam traps are called fluidic steam traps, and they utilize the property that water (liquid water) has a lower kinetic viscosity than steam when passing through fine passages, making water approximately 30 times more likely to flow than steam. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6942326 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When installed in a piping system through which condensate flows, conventional nozzle-type steam traps have, from downstream to downstream, a condensate inlet (inlet), strainer, Venturi nozzle, condensate reservoir, and drain system external discharge port (outlet), and require the combination of approximately the same number of components. Therefore, adjusting the diameter and length of the entire piping system is often necessary to appropriately respond to pressure fluctuations upstream and downstream of the nozzle. In other words, conventional nozzle-type steam traps have a large number of components, and proper condensate discharge management at the point of use is difficult unless sufficient information is available, such as steam flow rate and pressure fluctuations before and after the steam trap. Even with such information, there is a limit to the extent to which steam leakage can be suppressed without modifying the steam trap structure itself or the volume of each component of the steam trap. Thus, a new condensate rectifier with a configuration that is less affected by the conditions at the point of use, such as a nozzle-type steam trap, is desired.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a condensate rectifier with a simpler configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is A condensate flow straightener disposed in a steam flow path and configured to allow condensate to flow from an inlet to an outlet, a nozzle member in which a first hole portion and a second hole portion that is continuous with the first hole portion and is thicker than the first hole portion are formed; a partition wall provided to separate the inlet and the outlet, wherein when the nozzle member is attached to the partition wall, the inlet and the outlet communicate with each other via the first hole portion and the second hole portion; Equipped with In the steam flow path, the first hole portion is positioned upstream of the second hole portion and vertically below the second hole portion. Condensate Rectifier to provide.

[0008] Preferably, the inner diameter of the first hole is sized to prevent steam from passing through and to allow condensed water to pass through.

[0009] Preferably, when the radius of the first hole portion is r1, the length of the first hole portion is L1, the radius of the second hole portion is r2, and the length of the second hole portion is L2, the following relationship holds: 4r1 ≦ L1 1.5r1 ≦ r2 L1 / 3 ≦ L2 The relationship "L1 ≦ 20r1" may also be satisfied.

[0010] Preferably, at least one of the first hole portion and the second hole portion is formed with a recess or a protrusion for generating a rotational flow in the fluid passing through.

[0011] Preferably, at least one of the inner surface of the first hole portion and the inner surface of the second hole portion is formed of a plastic material.

[0012] Preferably, the nozzle member is screwed to the partition wall.

[0013] Preferably, the outlet or a downstream portion of the outlet is configured to bend in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the nozzle member.

[0014] Preferably, the fluid outflow start portion of the second hole portion in the nozzle member is positioned vertically above the vertically lowermost portion of the outlet of the section in which the second hole portion is located.

[0015] Preferably, the fluid outflow start portion of the second hole portion in the nozzle member is positioned vertically above the vertical lowermost portion of the outlet of the section in which the second hole portion is located, and the following relationship holds when the radius of the first hole portion is r1, the length of the first hole portion is L1, the radius of the second hole portion is r2, and the length of the second hole portion is L2. 4r1 ≦ L1 1.5r1 ≦ r2 L1 / 3 ≦ L2 [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the above aspect of the present invention, since it has the above configuration, it is possible to provide a condensate rectifier having a simpler configuration than conventional steam traps, and as a result, it is expected that the condensate rectifier will be applicable to, for example, various locations of use. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a steam piping system in which a steam trap according to a first embodiment of the present invention is arranged. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the steam trap and its surroundings in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of a nozzle member in the steam trap of FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a front view of a nipple member in the steam trap of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of a strainer member in the steam trap of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a modified example of the steam trap according to the first embodiment, in which (a) is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle member, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of a part of the partition wall of the nipple member. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a steam trap according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing the relationship between the nozzle member and the outlet port in the steam trap of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the experimental method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Condensate rectifiers according to embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a nozzle-type steam trap 10 as a condensate rectifier according to a first embodiment will be described.

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a piping system S (hereinafter referred to as steam piping system) that defines a flow path P through which steam flows (hereinafter referred to as steam flow path) and in which a steam trap 10 is disposed. Fig. 2 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the steam trap 10 and areas before and after it in the steam piping system S of Fig. 1. Note that in Figs. 1 and 2, the bottom of the paper is the bottom side in the vertical direction (arrow VD in the figures), and the top of the paper is the top side in the vertical direction.

[0020] Here, the steam piping system S has four joints 12, 14, 16, and 18. These joints 12, 14, 16, and 18 are each L-shaped joints, and are arranged in order from the upstream side in the flow direction A of steam or the like in the steam flow path P of the steam piping system S. In FIG. 1, the connection portions of these joints 12, 14, 16, and 18 are shown in a simplified manner, and here they are connected by nipples (including nipple members 22, which will be described later). However, the connection of the joints 12, 14, 16, and 18 is not limited to this.

[0021] 1 , a fluid that may contain steam and condensate flows in flow direction A. When the fluid reaches fitting 12, fitting 12 bends vertically upward, causing the fluid to flow vertically upward toward fitting 14. Then, fitting 14 bends substantially horizontally, causing the fluid to change course and flow substantially horizontally. Then, fitting 16 bends vertically downward, causing the fluid to change course and flow vertically downward, reaching fitting 18. Because fitting 18 bends substantially horizontally, the fluid that reaches fitting 18 flows substantially horizontally, away from fitting 12. Therefore, fittings 12, 14, 16, and 18 form a substantially inverted U-shaped portion in the steam flow path P of the steam piping system S.

[0022] The steam trap 10 is provided at a connection point between a joint 12 and a joint 14 in a substantially inverted U-shaped portion of a steam flow path P of a steam piping system S. The steam trap 10 is provided between the most upstream joint 12 and the joint 14 connected downstream thereof, where the fluid flows vertically from the bottom to the top. Note that in Figures 1 and 2, the bottom of the paper surface is the bottom in the vertical direction and the top of the paper surface is the top in the vertical direction, so that the downstream end 12d of the joint 12 faces vertically upward, and the upstream end 14u of the joint 14 faces vertically downward.

[0023] The steam trap 10 has a nozzle member 20, a nipple member 22, and a strainer member 24. Figure 3 shows the nozzle member 20, Figure 4 shows the nipple member 22, and Figure 5 shows the strainer member 24.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the nozzle member 20 has an externally threaded portion 26 and an expanded portion 28 that is continuous with the externally threaded portion 26, and these are aligned in a straight line. Therefore, the axis 20A of the nozzle member 20 is the axis of both the externally threaded portion 26 and the expanded portion 28. The nozzle member 20 has nozzle holes 30 that open at both ends of the nozzle member 20 along the axis 20A. The nozzle holes 30 have a first hole portion 32 and a second hole portion 34 that is thicker than the first hole portion 32. The first hole portion 32 and the second hole portion 34 are directly continuous with each other. In other words, the axis 20A of the nozzle member 20 is the axis of both the first hole portion 32 and the second hole portion 34. In the direction of the axis 20A, the first hole portion 32 opens at one end of the nozzle member 20 on the male thread portion 26 side and extends beyond the entire length of the male thread portion 26 to partway through the expanded portion 28, while the second hole portion 34 opens at the other end of the nozzle member 20 on the expanded portion 28 side and extends partway through the expanded portion 28 to merge with the first hole portion 32. The design of the first hole portion 32 and the second hole portion 34 along the axis 20A is based on the viewpoint of flow straightening. The first hole portion 32 does not have a further expanded diameter portion and opens at an attachment portion 37 of the nozzle member 20 to a partition wall 36, which will be described later.

[0025] The inner diameter of the first hole portion 32 of the nozzle member 20 is sized to prevent the passage of steam and to allow drain, i.e., liquid water, in other words, condensed water, to pass through. In order to prevent leakage of steam from the upstream side to the downstream side of the nozzle member 20 through the nozzle hole 30 while ensuring the flow of condensed water in the nozzle hole 30 of the nozzle member 20, it is preferable that the relationships of the following equations (1) to (3) hold, where r1 is the radius of the first hole portion 32, L1 is the length of the first hole portion 32, r2 is the radius of the second hole portion 34, and L2 is the length of the second hole portion 34. 4r1 ≦ L1 (1) 1.5r1 ≦ r2 (2) L1 / 3 ≦ L2 (3) It should be noted that, with respect to the first hole portion 32, it is preferable that the length L1 and the radius r1 further satisfy the relationship "L1≦20r1", but this is not limitative.

[0026] The inner surface 20i of the nozzle member 20 that defines the nozzle hole 30 is made of a plastic material. Here, the nozzle member 20 is made of metal, and the nozzle hole 30 is formed of the plastic material by coating the metal with a plastic material. However, the entire nozzle member 20 may be formed of the plastic material. The inner surface 20i of the plastic material that defines the nozzle hole 30 may be formed by various coating techniques or thin film formation techniques, or by fitting the plastic material that defines the nozzle hole 30 to the nozzle member 20. For example, when an amine-based boiler compound (oil-based) is used to protect the steam piping system S itself, the compound may be contained in the fluid flowing through the steam flow path P. In such cases, forming the nozzle hole 30 from a plastic material can improve the flowability of the fluid.

[0027] The nipple member 22 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 4. The nipple member 22 is a coupling member that connects the coupling 12 and the coupling 14. The nipple member 22 is a tubular threaded member having an axis 22A extending in its longitudinal direction. The nipple member 22 has a first male threaded portion 22b that is threadedly engaged with the female thread 12a of the downstream end 12d of the coupling 12, and a second male threaded portion 22c that is threadedly engaged with the female thread 14a of the upstream end 14u of the coupling 14. The nipple member 22 has a partition wall 36 on its inner side that is substantially perpendicular to the axis 22A. The partition wall 36 is provided between the first male threaded portion 22b and the second male threaded portion 22c in the direction of the axis 22A. A female threaded hole 38 is formed in the partition wall 36. The female threaded hole 38 extends along the axis 22A and is configured to be threadably engaged with the male threaded portion 26 of the nozzle member 20 described above. The partition wall 36 defines within the nipple member 22 a first recess 22s1 that opens to one end in the axial direction of the first male thread portion 22b and a second recess 22s2 that opens to the other end in the axial direction of the second male thread portion 22c, and these recesses 22s1 and 22s2 are connected by an internally threaded hole 38. The nozzle member 20 is inserted into the second recess 22s2, and its externally threaded portion 26 can be detachably threaded into the internally threaded hole 38 of the partition wall 36 of the nipple member 22. As shown in FIG. 2, when the nozzle member 20 is attached to the nipple member 22, the nozzle member 20 is completely contained within the nipple member 22. In the steam trap 10, the open end of the first recess 22s1 defines an inlet 10i for a fluid such as steam, and the open end of the second recess 22s2 defines an outlet (or discharge port) 10o for the fluid. That is, the nipple member 22 forms the inlet 10i and the outlet 10o of the steam trap 10. A female thread 44 is formed on the inner surface of the first recess 22s1, particularly on the cylindrical inner surface thereof.

[0028] The strainer member 24 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 5. The strainer member 24 is configured to include a net 40. The strainer member 24 has a frame portion 42, and the net 40 is stretched over the frame portion 42. As shown in Figure 2, the frame portion 42 of the strainer member 24 is configured to fit snugly within the first recess 22s1 of the nipple member 22. The strainer member 24 is fixed to the nipple member 22 using a cylindrical male screw member 46 that screws into the aforementioned female screw portion 44 formed on the inner surface of the nipple member 22.

[0029] The installation of the steam trap 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

[0030] First, the nozzle member 20 and the strainer member 24 are attached to the nipple member 22. The nozzle member 20 is attached to the nipple member 22 by threading the male thread portion 26 of the nozzle member 20 into the female thread hole 38 of the partition wall 36 of the nipple member 22. By attaching the nozzle member 20 to the nipple member 22 in this manner, the first recess 22s1 of the nipple member 22 is connected to the second recess 22s2 only via the nozzle hole 30 of the nozzle member 20, i.e., the first hole portion 32 and the second hole portion 34. The strainer member 24 is then inserted through the female thread portion 44 of the nipple member 22 so as to contact the partition wall 36, and then the cylindrical male thread member 46 is threadedly engaged with the female thread portion 44, thereby being sandwiched between the partition wall 36 and the cylindrical male thread member 46. As a result, the fluid that enters the first recess 22s1 cannot reach the first hole portion 32 of the nozzle hole 30 unless it passes through the net 40 of the strainer member 24. The nipple member 22, to which the nozzle member 20 and the strainer member 24 are attached in this manner, is connected to the fittings 12 and 14 by screwing. At this time, the steam trap 10 is attached so that the first hole portion 32 is positioned upstream of the second hole portion 34 and vertically below the second hole portion 34.

[0031] In the steam trap 10 thus provided, the nipple member 22 forms an outlet 10o of the steam trap 10 that is positioned vertically above the second hole portion 34 in the steam flow path P (see FIG. 2).

[0032] Furthermore, since the joint 14 immediately downstream of the steam trap 10 is an L-shaped joint, the downstream portion of the outlet 10o is configured to bend in a direction intersecting the axis 20A of the nozzle member 20. However, the outlet 10o itself may be bent in a direction intersecting the axis 20A of the nozzle member 20. Alternatively, a horizontal hole extending in a direction intersecting the axis 20A of the nozzle member 20 may be provided in the second hole portion 34 of the nozzle member 20, and this horizontal hole may be used as the outlet. In this way, the outlet 10o is not limited to being positioned vertically above the second hole portion 34, but may be positioned at approximately the same vertical position as the second hole portion 34 or vertically below the second hole portion 34. In these cases, the outlet 10o may extend in a direction intersecting the axis 20A of the nozzle member 20, for example, perpendicular to the axis 20A of the nozzle member 20.

[0033] The following will describe the effects of the steam trap 10 having the above configuration and installed as described above.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , a steam trap 10 configured to allow drain, i.e., condensed water, to flow from an inlet 10i to an outlet 10o is provided in a steam flow path P in a steam piping system S. The steam trap 10 includes a nozzle member 20 having first holes 32 and second holes 34 that are continuous with the first holes 32 and are wider than the first holes 32, and a partition wall 36 that separates the inlet 10i and the outlet 10o. When the nozzle member is attached to the partition wall 36, the inlet 10i and the outlet 10o communicate with each other via the first holes 32 and the second holes 34. In the steam flow path P, the first holes 32 are positioned upstream of the second holes 34 and vertically below the second holes 34. Therefore, since steam has a harder time passing through the first hole 32 than condensate, condensate advantageously passes through the first hole 32, which allows condensate to more effectively accumulate in the second hole 34, thereby effectively suppressing the discharge of steam. The steam trap 10 has an extremely simple configuration, including the nozzle member 20 configured as described above and the partition wall 36 configured as described above. Therefore, the steam trap 10 is less susceptible to the conditions of the location of use than conventional steam traps.

[0035] Furthermore, since the nozzle member is detachably attached to the partition wall 36, it is possible to prepare multiple types of nozzle members 20 in advance and select and attach a nozzle member 20 according to the location of use. Examples of multiple types of nozzle members 20 include nozzle members 20 with different capacities of the second hole portion 34.

[0036] Furthermore, in the steam trap 10, the inner diameter of the first hole portion is sized to prevent the passage of steam and to allow drainage, i.e., condensed water, to pass through. Therefore, the passage of steam through the first hole portion 32 can be more effectively prevented, and drainage can be more effectively discharged.

[0037] The inner surface 20i that defines the nozzle hole 30, including the first hole portion 32 and the second hole portion 34, is made of a plastic material. This allows for a smoother flow of fluid, such as drainage, through the nozzle hole 30. Here, the entire inner surface 20i of the nozzle hole 30 is made of a plastic material, but the present invention is not limited to this. At least one of the inner surface of the first hole portion 32 and the inner surface of the second hole portion 34 may be made of a plastic material.

[0038] Furthermore, in order to more suitably generate a flow of fluid, for example, a flow of drainage, in the nozzle hole 30 including the first hole portion 32 and the second hole portion 34, a recessed portion or a protruding portion for generating a rotational flow in the passing fluid may be formed in at least one of the first hole portion 32 and the second hole portion 34. For example, the recessed portion or the protruding portion may be formed in a spiral shape. This causes the fluid, for example, drainage, to flow as if being pressed against the spiral recessed portion or protruding portion, thereby more suitably arranging the flow and generating a smooth flow.

[0039] In the steam trap 10, the partition wall 36 is provided with a female threaded hole 38, and the male threaded portion 26 of the nozzle member 20 is threadedly engaged with the female threaded hole 38, thereby screwing the nozzle member 20 to the partition wall 36. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows a nozzle member 120 ( FIG. 6( a) ) and a partition wall 136 portion of the nipple member ( FIG. 6( b) ) in a steam trap as a modified example. The nozzle member 120 has a first hole portion 32 and a second hole portion 34, similar to the nozzle member 20, and further has an internally threaded hole 122 that is larger in diameter than the first hole portion 32 and that is continuous with the first hole portion 32. The partition wall 136 is provided with a protrusion having an external thread, i.e., an externally threaded portion 138. A hole 140 is formed in this externally threaded portion 138, and this hole 140 passes through the partition wall 136. The nozzle member 120 may be attached to the partition wall 136 by threading the externally threaded portion 138 of the partition wall 136 into the internally threaded portion 122 of the nozzle member 120.

[0041] Next, a nozzle-type steam trap 210 as a condensate rectifier according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. The following mainly describes the differences between the steam trap 210 according to the second embodiment and the steam trap 10 according to the first embodiment. The steam trap 210 also employs the nozzle member 20 described above, and is used so as to have the same positional relationship between the first hole portion 32 and the second hole portion 34 as described in the first embodiment. However, the steam trap 210 can also be modified or changed in the same way as the steam trap 10, for example, as described with reference to Figure 6.

[0042] The steam trap 210 includes a housing 212 to which the nozzle member 20 is attached. The housing 212 is a substantially cylindrical member having an axis 212A extending linearly. Female threaded holes (hereinafter, "end threaded holes") 212B and 212C are formed on the end faces of the corresponding ends of the housing 212 at both ends along the axis 212A. The end threaded holes 212B and 212C each define a recess with the axis 212A as its central axis. One end threaded hole 212B is configured to receive an upstream pipe (not shown) of the steam piping system S, and the other end threaded hole 212C is configured to receive a downstream pipe (not shown) of the steam piping system S. As described above, the end threaded holes 212B and 212C, i.e., female threads, are used as the pipe attachment structure in the housing 212. However, the present invention is not limited to this and various structures can be used, such as a male thread or a flange. Although the end screw holes 212B and 212C have the same shape and dimensions, they may be different depending on the piping to be connected.

[0043] In the direction of the axis 212A, between the end threaded holes 212B and 212C, female threaded holes (hereinafter referred to as radial threaded holes) 212D and 212E are formed, which extend in a direction perpendicular to the axis 212A and face each other across the partition wall 214. Therefore, the radial threaded holes 212D and 212E each open in the peripheral side surface 212F of the housing 212. Note that the radial threaded holes 212D and 212E have the same shape and the same dimensions, but at least one of them may be different.

[0044] The partition wall 214 is a flat plate-like portion extending along the axis 212A. A female threaded hole (hereinafter referred to as a nozzle screw hole) 216 is formed in approximately the center of the partition wall 214. The axis 216A of the nozzle screw hole 216 is perpendicular to the axis 212A of the housing 212, although this application does not exclude the axis 216A being inclined. The radial screw holes 212D and 212E communicate with each other via the nozzle screw hole 216.

[0045] The nozzle screw hole 216 and the radial screw holes 212D and 212E are formed so that the axis 216A of the nozzle screw hole 216 coincides with the axis of each of the radial screw holes 212D and 212E. The radial screw holes 212D and 212E, the partition wall 214, and the nozzle screw hole 216 are also formed so that the axis 216A of the nozzle screw hole 216 directly intersects with the axis 212A of the housing 212.

[0046] The two through holes 218, 220 are formed to interconnect the threaded holes 212B, 212C, 212D, and 212E. One of the through holes (hereinafter referred to as the upstream through hole) 218 ​​is formed to interconnect the end threaded hole 212B and the radial threaded hole 212D. The other through hole (hereinafter referred to as the downstream through hole) 220 is formed to interconnect the end threaded hole 212C and the radial threaded hole 212E.

[0047] The upstream through-hole 218 extends substantially parallel to the axis 212A but is formed at a position offset from the axis 212A, particularly at a position offset so as not to interfere with the partition wall 214. Similarly, the downstream through-hole 220 extends substantially parallel to the axis 212A but is formed at a position offset from the axis 212A, particularly at a position offset so as not to interfere with the partition wall 214. Here, the upstream through-hole 218 and the downstream through-hole 220 are formed symmetrically with respect to the partition wall 214.

[0048] 7, the steam trap 210 is disposed in the steam piping system S such that the axis 216A of the nozzle threaded hole 216 extends substantially in the vertical direction VD and the radial threaded hole 212E is positioned vertically above the radial threaded hole 212D. In this state, the upstream through-hole 218 is positioned vertically below the partition wall 214, and the downstream through-hole 220 is positioned vertically above the partition wall 214. Therefore, when the nozzle member 20 is not attached to the partition wall 214, the fluid flowing from the upstream side can enter the housing 212 from the end threaded hole 212B, enter the radial threaded hole 212D via the upstream through-hole 218, enter the radial threaded hole 212D via the nozzle threaded hole 216 vertically above the radial threaded hole 212D, and flow out to the end threaded hole 212C via the downstream through-hole 220.

[0049] The nozzle member 20 is screwed and attached to the nozzle screw hole 216 of the partition wall 214. As a result, the male thread portion 26 of the nozzle member 20 is screwed into the nozzle screw hole 216, and the extension portion 28 continuous with the male thread portion 26 can be positioned in the radial screw hole 212E. In the steam trap 210 shown in FIG. 7, the first hole portion 32 of the nozzle member 20 is positioned upstream of the second hole portion 34 and vertically below the second hole portion 34.

[0050] The openings of radially threaded holes 212D, 212E are closed by plug members 222. Plug member 222 has an axis 222A and is configured to include a male threaded portion 222b that screws into radially threaded holes 212D, 212E, and a gripping portion 222c that is continuous with male threaded portion 222b. In plug member 222, axis 222A is also the axis of male threaded portion 222b and the axis of gripping portion 222c.

[0051] In steam trap 210, radial threaded hole 212D is located upstream of and vertically below radial threaded hole 212E. In radial threaded hole 212D, strainer member 224 is disposed between partition wall 214 and plug member 222. Here, strainer member 224 is configured as a net itself, but may have the same configuration as strainer member 24.

[0052] The strainer member 224 is disposed so as to directly face the first hole portion 32 of the nozzle hole 30 of the nozzle member 20 attached to the nozzle screw hole 216. A spring member 226, which is an elastic member, is disposed between this strainer member 224 and the plug member 222. When the radially threaded hole 212D is closed by the plug member 222, the spring member 226 comes into contact with the plug member 222 and receives a pressing force. Therefore, the spring member 226 is compressed and elastically deformed, pressing the strainer member 224 against the partition wall 214, thereby covering the first hole portion 32 of the nozzle hole 30 of the nozzle member 20 attached to the nozzle screw hole 216. As a result, the fluid that has reached the radially threaded hole 212D reaches the first hole portion 32 via the strainer member 224.

[0053] In the steam trap 210 having the above configuration, the compartment in which the first hole portion 32 in the nozzle member 20 is located, i.e., the open compartment, is substantially a radial threaded hole 212D, and the inlet 210i thereto is an upstream through-hole 218, and the compartment in which the second hole portion 34 in the nozzle member 20 is located, i.e., the open compartment, is a radial threaded hole 212E, and the outlet 210o therefrom is a downstream through-hole 220. This steam trap 210 is characterized in that the fluid outflow start portion 34s of the second hole portion 34 in the nozzle member 20 is positioned vertically above the vertical lowermost portion of the downstream through-hole 220, which is the outlet 210o of the radial threaded hole 212E, which is the compartment in which the second hole portion 34 is located.

[0054] Reference is now made to Figure 8, which illustrates the nozzle member 20 and the downstream through-hole 220 in the steam trap 210 of Figure 7. The fluid outflow start portion 34s of the second hole portion 34 in the nozzle member 20 refers to the portion where the fluid that has flowed through the nozzle holes 30 in the nozzle member 20 from the first hole portion 32 toward the second hole portion 34 begins to flow out of the second hole portion 34. Specifically, here, the fluid outflow start portion 34s is the end face 20f of the nozzle member 20 on the second hole portion 34 side, and its position in the vertical direction VD corresponds to the line VD1 in Figure 8.

[0055] On the other hand, the outlet 210o of the section in which the second hole portion 34 is located, i.e., the vertically lowermost portion of the downstream through-hole 220, refers to the portion located at the lowest position in the vertical direction within the region of the downstream through-hole 220 through which the fluid can flow, and the position of this portion in the vertical direction VD corresponds to line VD2 in Fig. 8. As is clear from Fig. 8, in the vertical direction VD, line VD1 is located above line VD2.

[0056] Therefore, the fluid that passes through the nozzle hole 30 of the nozzle member 20 from the first hole portion 32 to the second hole portion 34 and flows out from the second hole portion 34 does not accumulate vertically above the second hole portion 34, but flows out from the downstream through-hole 220, which is the outlet 210o. In other words, the amount of fluid that accumulates so as to seal the first hole portion 32 is limited to the volume of the second hole portion 34. This makes it possible to further improve the rectification effect when the fluid passes through the nozzle hole 30.

[0057] The housing 212 of the steam trap 210 is made by cutting a substantially cylindrical member. However, the housing 212 may be made by combining a plurality of members.

[0058] (Experimental example) Here, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the dimensions (radius: r1, length: L1) of the first hole portion 32 and the dimensions (radius: r2, length: L2) of the second hole portion 34 in the nozzle hole 30 of the nozzle member 20. The results will be explained based on FIG. 9 and Table 1.

[0059] Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of an evaluation device 300. In this experiment, a pipe 304 with a closed end was connected to a pump 302 with a variable water pressure (flow rate), and an experimental nozzle N was attached midway along the pipe 304. The water flow WF discharged from the experimental nozzle N was observed and evaluated. Of the experimental nozzles N, a comparative nozzle NC was a single-stage nozzle having only a nozzle hole corresponding to the first hole portion 32. Of the experimental nozzles N, the present nozzle PN was a two-stage nozzle having a first hole portion 32 and a second hole portion 34, and was produced in various dimensions.

[0060] Table 1 shows the dimensions of the present nozzles PN, nozzle numbers 1 to 28, the degree to which each of the above formulas (1) to (3) was satisfied, and the evaluation results. Regarding the degree to which formulas (1) to (3) were satisfied, a "good" was indicated if the condition was met, and an "unsatisfactory" was indicated if the condition was not met. The present nozzles PN, which had less spread and turbulence in the discharged water flow WF than the comparative nozzle NC, were deemed to have an excellent rectifying effect and were rated "good" in Table 1. The present nozzles PN, which had roughly the same degree of spread and turbulence in the discharged water flow WF as the comparative nozzle NC, were rated "good" in Table 1. The present nozzles PN, which had greater spread and turbulence in the discharged water flow WF than the comparative nozzle NC, were rated "unsatisfactory" in Table 1.

[0061] As shown in Table 1, nozzles for which all of the relationships in formulas (1) to (3) above were satisfied were evaluated as either "good" or "fair."

[0062] [Table 1]

[0063] With conventional technology, it is difficult to modify a steam trap to accommodate a clear steam volume or change in steam volume. Meanwhile, with conventional nozzle-type steam traps, in order to avoid situations where condensate accumulates but is not discharged, it is necessary to select a nozzle diameter appropriate to the maximum condensate generation rate at the trap installation location. In other words, with conventional nozzle-type steam traps, the nozzle diameter is larger than necessary during most periods when the maximum condensate generation rate is not reached, and some traps are used in a state that should be considered as a partial steam leak. While some steam may leak from the nozzle tip during periods when the maximum condensate generation rate is not reached, if there is turbulence in the flow at the condensate discharge port, it becomes necessary to further increase the nozzle diameter for discharge, which increases the amount of steam leakage.

[0064] Unless steam leakage can be kept small when discharging condensate that is significantly below the maximum condensate volume, the leakage steam reduction effect that is originally expected from a nozzle-type steam trap cannot be expected.Even if the condensate contains steam, if the fluid can be rectified without causing turbulence, the nozzle diameter can be kept small.

[0065] As described above, in the embodiment according to the present invention, the nozzle member 20 provided in the partition wall 36, 214 has the first hole 32 and the second hole 34. If the radius of the first hole 32 is r1, the length of the first hole 32 is L1, the radius of the second hole 34 is r2, and the length of the second hole 34 is L2, it is desirable that the dimensional relationships of the above-described formulas (1) to (3) hold. The experimental results in Table 1 suggest that such a nozzle structure and dimensional relationship according to the present invention is very effective in enhancing the flow straightening effect, and therefore makes it possible to enhance the leakage steam reduction effect expected of a nozzle-type steam trap.

[0066] Although the above-described embodiment and its modifications have been described, the present invention is not limited thereto. Various substitutions and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims of this application.

[0067] The second hole portion 34 of the nozzle member may be a hole that engages with a tool such as a hexagonal wrench, which makes it possible to more suitably attach and detach the nozzle member to and from the partition wall.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, one steam trap 10, 210 is provided in the steam piping system S, but multiple steam traps 10, 210 may be provided in series at intervals. In this case, the diameter of the first hole portion 32 may be larger in the steam trap 10, 210 located closer to the upstream side. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 10, 210 Steam trap 20 Nozzle member 22 Nipple member 24 Strainer member 30 nozzle holes 32 1st hole 34 2nd hole 36 Bulkhead 212 Housing 212B, 212C Female threaded hole (end threaded hole) 212D, 212E Female thread hole (radial thread hole) 214 Bulkhead 216 Female thread hole (nozzle thread hole) 218, 220 Through holes

Claims

1. A condensate flow straightener disposed in a steam flow path and configured to allow condensate to flow from an inlet to an outlet, a nozzle member in which a first hole portion and a second hole portion that is continuous with the first hole portion and is thicker than the first hole portion are formed; a partition wall provided to separate the inlet and the outlet, wherein when the nozzle member is attached to the partition wall, the inlet and the outlet communicate with each other via the first hole portion and the second hole portion; Equipped with In the steam flow path, the first hole portion is positioned upstream of the second hole portion and vertically below the second hole portion, the first hole portion does not have an expanded diameter portion and opens to a portion of the nozzle member that is attached to the partition wall, When the radius of the first hole portion is r1, the length of the first hole portion is L1, the radius of the second hole portion is r2, and the length of the second hole portion is L2, the following relationship is established: 4r1 ≦ L1 1.5r1≦r2 L1 / 3≦L2 Condensate rectifier.

2. The inner diameter of the first hole is sized to prevent steam from passing through and to allow condensed water to pass through.

2. The condensate rectifier of claim 1.

3. At least one of the first hole portion and the second hole portion has a recess or a protrusion formed therein for generating a rotational flow in a fluid passing therethrough.

3. A condensate rectifier according to claim 1 or 2.

4. At least one of the inner surface of the first hole portion and the inner surface of the second hole portion is formed of a plastic material.

3. A condensate rectifier according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The nozzle member is screwed to the partition wall.

3. A condensate rectifier according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The outlet or a downstream portion of the outlet is configured to bend in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the nozzle member.

3. A condensate rectifier according to claim 1 or 2.

7. a fluid outflow start portion of the second hole portion in the nozzle member is positioned vertically above a vertically lowermost portion of the outflow port of a section in which the second hole portion is located; 3. A condensate rectifier according to claim 1 or 2.

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