Nozzle Steam Trap Temperature Thresholds for Abnormality Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large-scale factories, such as steel-making and paper-making facilities, inspecting steam traps for abnormalities is burdensome and inaccurate due to the need for frequent manual checks, and existing diagnostic methods require worker intervention, making it difficult to detect issues like vapor leakage or water stagnation effectively.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system comprising a steam trap with a temperature measurer, transmitter, receiver, and notifier that wirelessly transmits temperature information to determine abnormalities, allowing for remote detection and notification without worker intervention, using temperature indicators or sensors to set reference temperatures for determining trap conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual inspection of steam traps is performed by workers, then abnormalities can be detected, but the worker burden increases and inspection efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam trap inspection system performs self-diagnosis by automatically measuring its own temperature and comparing it against reference temperatures to detect abnormalities such as vapor leakage or water stagnation, eliminating the need for manual worker inspection while maintaining reliable detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical inspection process is replaced with an automated electronic monitoring system that uses temperature sensors, transmitters, and processors to continuously monitor steam trap conditions and detect abnormalities without human intervention
2Reliability
If manual inspection of steam traps is performed by workers, then abnormalities can be detected, but inspection accuracy decreases due to ambiguous criteria
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses objective temperature parameter measurements and compares them against predetermined reference temperatures to determine abnormalities, replacing subjective human judgment with precise quantitative measurement and automated decision-making based on clear temperature differential criteria
3Temperature
If temperature labels are used to monitor steam traps, then temperature can be observed, but worker intervention is still required and burden is not reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Passive temperature labels that require manual reading are replaced with active electronic temperature sensors that automatically transmit temperature data to a central processor, which then autonomously compares the data against reference values and generates abnormality notifications without requiring worker intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a closed-loop feedback mechanism where temperature sensors continuously monitor steam trap conditions, automatically compare measurements against reference temperatures, and trigger notifications when abnormalities are detected, enabling fully automated monitoring without worker involvement
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates efficient and accurate remote inspection of steam traps, reducing worker burden and improving detection accuracy of abnormalities like vapor leakage or water stagnation, enabling timely maintenance to prevent issues like steam hammer phenomena.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature measurer that measures a temperature of at least the discharge portion
Data Source
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AI summary
An object is to provide a monitoring system that facilitates inspection of a steam trap. Provided is a monitoring system which comprises: a nozzle steam trap (3) including a supply portion (10) into which water vapor is supplied, and a discharge portion (11) which discharges liquid water contained in the water vapor; a temperature measurer (20) that measures a temperature of the discharge portion; a transmitter (24) that transmits temperature information containing the temperature measured by the temperature measurer; a receiver (7) that receives the temperature information; a determiner (8) that determines whether an abnormality is present in the nozzle steam trap based on the temperature information; and a notifier (9) that issues a notice when the determiner determines that the abnormality is present. A first discharge-side reference temperature lower than the boiling point of the water and a second discharge-side reference temperature higher than the boiling point of the water are set for the discharge portion. The determiner determines that the abnormality is present when the temperature of the discharge portion contained in the temperature information is lower than the first discharge-side reference temperature or higher than the second discharge-side reference temperature.