In addition to thermostatic steam traps, Gestra as the leading steam traps manufacturer has also designed the DK Series thermodynamic steam traps. Steam traps in work on a simple thermodynamic principle. When the condensate enters it raises the valve regulator disc to the open position, while the steam causes the steam trap to close immediately. As the flow rate increases, the pressure below the control plate drops so that it is pressed against the valve seat. The pressure is above the control plate and with the surface full, causing the steam trap to close completely. The thermodynamic steam trap features a movable valve disk that rests on a double seat.

The condensate enters the steam trap from below, thereby lifting the disk off its seat. It is then deflected by 180° and flows through the small seat orifice into the discharge line. As the temperature of the condensate increases, upstream pressure builds up in the space above the valve disk. When the condensate evaporates into steam, a low-pressure area is formed under the disk due to the increased flow velocity, forcing the disk downwards against its bearing surface and stopping all flow.

Since the pressure above the valve disk is acting on a larger surface area, the closing force is much higher than the pressure pushing against the disk from the inlet side. As the steam loses heat, some of it condenses, reducing the pressure above the valve disk and hence the closing force. As soon as the pressure on top of the disk has dropped to a value that equals the opening pressure produced by the upstream pressure, the disk is lifted off its seat, and the cycle repeats itself. External factors such as heat, wind, precipitation etc. can effect the functioning and performance of the thermodynamic steam trap considerably. However, the DK 45 is not influenced by these environmental factors because the regulator is protected by the permanently mounted cap.

    Gestra Thermostatic Steam Trap DK 15
    Gestra Thermostatic Steam Trap DK 27N
    Gestra Thermostatic Steam Trap DK 37/28/29 & BK 37/28/29-ASME
    Gestra Thermostatic Steam Trap DK 45/46
    Gestra Thermostatic Steam Trap DK 212 & BK 212-ASME

    Discharge with virtually no banking-up
    Robust, insensitive regulator
    Installation in any position
    Max. admissible back pressure 80 % of the upstream pressure
    Compact, highly responsive regulator
    Small number of functional parts
    Drainage with practically no banking-up
    Any installation position – in horizontal or vertical pipes
    Reliable back pressure up to 80% of upstream pressure
    Available as an easy-to-install RHOMBUSline body with exchangeable regulator, or as a compact version
    Inner parts made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel