In a steam trap comprising a seat valve that is adapted to be switched over between an open position for a first discharge state with large throughput and a closed position for a second discharge state with small throughput, the closure element and the seat of the seat valve define, at the closed position, a two-part passage, said passage having a jet cross-section, which first decreases in size in the discharge direction and, subsequently, re-increases in size, and being delimited by the seating area, the sealing face and at least one, only local control groove in the sealing face and/or the seating area. In the aseptic double seated valve the steam trap serves to carry out a flushing cycle as well as a sterilization cycle in a filling plant.

In a steam trap comprising a seat valve that is adapted to be switched over between an open position for a first discharge state with large throughput and a closed position for a second discharge state with small throughput, the closure element and the seat of the seat valve define, at the closed position, a two-part passage, said passage having a jet cross-section, which first decreases in size in the discharge direction and, subsequently, re-increases in size, and being delimited by the seating area, the sealing face and at least one, only local control groove in the sealing face and/or the seating area. In the aseptic double seated valve the steam trap serves to carry out a flushing cycle as well as a sterilization cycle in a filling plant.

A steam trap is provided comprising a housing having formed therein a seat for a closure element between a steam and/or condensate inlet and an outlet, the closure element being adapted to be switched between a closed position in the seat and an open position raised from the seat, an annular gap is formed upstream of the seat in the final phase of the switching movement to the closed position and at the end position of the closed position, said annular gap being used for at least pre-filtering condensate and preventing particles from getting stuck in the seat as well as clogging of a nozzle.

A condensate drain apparatus (200) comprising: a valve (202) for controlling discharge of condensate (250) from the condensate drain apparatus (200); a collection chamber (206) configured to receive a multiphase fluid flow upstream of the valve (202) comprising gaseous and condensate phases, the collection chamber (206) defining a collection volume (204) for collecting the condensate (250) to be discharged through the valve (202); sensor equipment for monitoring a parameter relating to a thermodynamic property of the fluid upstream of the valve (202); a controller (230) configured to monitor the collection of condensate based on the monitored parameter, and to control the opening and closing of the valve (202) to regulate the collection of condensate upstream of the valve (202); wherein the controller (230) is further configured to determine the quantity of condensate discharged from the collection volume (204) using a flow rate calculation for a choked flow of vaporizing liquid.

A condensate drain apparatus (200) comprising: a valve (202) for controlling discharge of condensate (250) from the condensate drain apparatus (200); a collection chamber (206) configured to receive a multiphase fluid flow upstream of the valve (202) comprising gaseous and condensate phases, the collection chamber (206) defining a collection volume (204) for collecting the condensate (250) to be discharged through the valve (202); sensor equipment for monitoring a parameter relating to a thermodynamic property of the fluid upstream of the valve (202); a controller (230) configured to monitor the collection of condensate based on the monitored parameter, and to control the opening and closing of the valve (202) to regulate the collection of condensate upstream of the valve (202); wherein the controller (230) is further configured to determine the quantity of condensate discharged from the collection volume (204) using a flow rate calculation for a choked flow of vaporizing liquid.

A device for separating liquid from gas including: a fluid inlet configured to receive a fluid that includes a liquid and a gas; a gas outlet; a deflector positioned between the fluid inlet and the gas outlet, the deflector obstructing a path from the fluid inlet to the gas outlet; and a liquid channel adjacent to a liquid outlet; wherein the deflector is configured to deflect the liquid to the liquid channel; wherein the liquid deflected to the liquid channel exits the device through the liquid outlet; and wherein the gas flows around the deflector and exits the device through the gas outlet.

A thermostatic steam trap includes a lower casing; an upper casing secured with the lower casing; and a mechanism that is operatively secured with the lower casing and the upper casing and that includes a stack of bimetallic strips. The stack of bimetallic strips includes two opposed cantilevered portions separated by a neutral flexion axis thereof. A stem member slidably extends through the stack of bimetallic strips and the lower casing, and a valve portion includes a valve member that is operatively secured to a first end of the stem member and that selectively closes the valve portion with movement of the cantilevered portions of the stack of bimetallic strips.

A method and system using at least two different working fluids to be supplied to an expander to cause it to do mechanical work. The expander is started by providing a compressed gaseous working fluid at a sufficient pressure to the expander. At the same time the compressed gaseous working fluid is provided to the expander, a second working fluid that is liquid at ambient temperatures is provided to a heater to be heated. The second working fluid is heated to its boiling point and converted to pressurized gas Once the pressure is increased to a sufficient level, the second working fluid is injected into the expander to generate power, and the supply of the first working fluid may be stopped. After expansion in the expander, the working fluids are is exhausted from the expander, and the second working fluid may be condensed for separation from the first working fluid. Control circuitry controls the admission of the first and second working fluids responsive to monitoring the load on the expander. Waste heat in the exhaust from the expander can be used to heat or alternatively to dry an element in a device that can be operated as a desiccator to dry air when operated in a summer mode, or to heat air when operated in a winter mode. The air having been dried or alternatively heated is then ducted to an evaporative cooler which cools the dried air in summer mode and humidifies the heated air in winter mode.

A method and system using at least two different working fluids to be supplied to an expander to cause it to do mechanical work. The expander is started by providing a compressed gaseous working fluid at a sufficient pressure to the expander. At the same time the compressed gaseous working fluid is provided to the expander, a second working fluid that is liquid at ambient temperatures is provided to a heater to be heated. The second working fluid is heated to its boiling point and converted to pressurized gas Once the pressure is increased to a sufficient level, the second working fluid is injected into the expander to generate power, and the supply of the first working fluid may be stopped. After expansion in the expander, the working fluids are is exhausted from the expander, and the second working fluid may be condensed for separation from the first working fluid. Control circuitry controls the admission of the first and second working fluids responsive to monitoring the load on the expander.

Waste heat in the exhaust from the expander can be used to heat or alternatively to dry an element in a device that can be operated as a desiccator to dry air when operated in a summer mode, or to heat air when operated in a winter mode. The air having been dried or alternatively heated is then ducted to an evaporative cooler which cools the dried air in summer mode and humidifies the heated air in winter mode.