This section provides an overview for steam traps as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 25 steam trap manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked steam trap companies as of November, 2024: 1.Marck & Care Engineers Ltd., 2.Staitech Ltd, 3.KOSEN VALVE CO., LTD..
Table of Contents
A steam trap is a device that separates and discharges condensate (water droplets) generated within steam systems.
In factories, steam flows through pipes. When these pipes come into contact with the outside air, their surface temperature drops, causing the steam to cool and condense. If this condensate mixes with steam, it can violently collide at bends, such as elbows, leading to a condensate attack and potential damage to the piping. Erosion can also occur when condensate strikes the impellers of blowers or turbines. Installing steam traps helps avoid these issues.
Steam traps are essential in piping systems where steam is utilized. By installing a steam trap, it is possible to collect condensate within the steam, thus preventing erosion and water hammering.
As steam cools and condenses, its volume significantly decreases, potentially causing a vacuum that draws condensate together, resulting in impact damage.
This can lead to severe damage to the piping and connected equipment, making the prevention capabilities of steam traps critical.
Steam traps can be mechanical, thermodynamic, or thermostatic. Their operating principle varies by type.
The mechanical type operates simply. When condensate enters, it causes a float or bucket to rise, opening or closing the valve. This type is easy to maintain, and its operation can often be verified by sound. However, it requires regular maintenance to remove any dust accumulation on the valve to prevent continuous steam leakage.
The temperature difference type operates on the expansion and contraction caused by the temperature differential between steam and condensate. It is divided into bimetal and bellows types. The bimetal type relies on the differing expansion rates of two metals, while the bellows type uses a bellows mechanism for movement.
The thermodynamic type operates based on the pressure differences in the chamber between the primary and secondary sides. The valve opens as the high-temperature condensate expands the bimetal, allowing condensate discharge. Once the steam flows, the pressure drop causes the valve to close, repeating the cycle as needed.
Mechanical steam traps, utilizing the specific gravity difference between steam and condensate, are categorized into bucket and float types. The bucket type includes inverted bucket (I.B. type) and standard bucket types, while the float type includes designs with levers.
The thermostatic steam trap, or thermal differential type, operates on the temperature difference between steam and condensate. It includes bimetal and bellows types.
The thermodynamic steam trap utilizes the thermodynamic properties difference between steam and condensate, further classified into disc type and external air-cooled types.
The mechanical type, offering no condensate retention and featuring an energy-saving design, includes the scale-resistant bucket type and the quick-warming, pressure-difference-resistant float type. However, the mechanical type may be susceptible to freezing and is relatively large. The float type is vulnerable to water hammer, and the bucket type's installation direction may be restricted.
The thermostatic type is quiet and water hammer resistant. It allows for controlled condensate discharge temperature and features good low-noise air discharge performance. However, due to its lower-than-saturated steam temperature operation, condensate may accumulate, leading to delayed valve closing and steam loss. The bimetal parts are prone to corrosion and fatigue, affecting durability.
Compact and lightweight, the thermodynamic type is resistant to freezing and can be installed in any direction. However, it is sensitive to external temperatures, which may lead to dry hitting and potential condensate retention issues.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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OMEGA Engineering Inc., founded in Norwalk, CT, in 1962 is a manufacturer of products used to measure temperature and humidity, flow and level, and pressure. The company's product portfolio includes thermocouple probes and assemblies, pressure gauges and switches, and air velocity measurement systems, wireless systems and portable optic sensors. The company serves markets including Automotive and Electric Vehicles, Renewable Energy and Energy Storage and Electronics and IT Infrastructure. The company also offers customer services that include support, custom research projects and customized services.
Fabricast Inc. is a manufacturer of slip ring assemblies that is headquartered in South El Monte, California, and was founded in 1960. The company began with electrical slip rings which later became diverse into a product catalog of stock slip rings, slip ring brushes, and custom slip rings. The stock slip rings cater to diverse applications but are applied generally in power and instrumentation. Slip ring brushes are used in noise instrumentation and power applications. Custom slip rings are dependent on end-user requirements.
DSTI or Dynamic Sealing Technologies, Inc. is situated in Andover, MN, and is a supplier of engineered fluid sealing and transfer solutions for rotating applications to a wide range of global industries. The company offers Rotary Unions, Electrical Slip Rings, Custom Solutions, and more. The company functions for industries like aerospace, alternative energy, defense, factory automation, food & beverages, and a lot more. The company is accredited with the ISO 9001.2015 certificate. The company is also Honored as a 2023 Top Workplace by the Star Tribune for the Fifth Year in a Row.
Canadian Solar, headquartered in Guelph, Ontario, is a manufacturer of solar energy products founded in 2001. Their product line includes solar modules, solar power systems, inverters, and data monitoring products such as CSI Cloud Apps and WiFi sticks. These products are designed to harness sunlight and convert it into electrical energy, catering to utility-scale solar projects. Canadian Solar also provides end-to-end services, from feasibility study to maintenance, reducing complexity and costs for industrial and commercial projects.
TLV, established in 1950, is a Japan-based manufacturer and supplier of steam engineering products such as fluid control equipment, system products, and maintenance instruments. The company offers fluid control equipment including cyclone separators, steam traps, automatic check valves, manifolds, and pressure-reducing valves used for steam, air, and water piping. The company offers maintenance instruments such as pocket trapman. The company also offers consultation, engineering, services, and the design and construction of steam and power systems. TLV has achieved ISO9001 and ISO 14001 certifications for standardization allowing their products to be used in logistics, building maintenance, chemicals, refineries, and petrochemical industries.
MIYAWAKI Inc., founded in 1933 in Osaka, Japan, is a developer and manufacturer of steam traps and related products for industrial applications. The company's product line includes industrial valve products, such as steam traps, pressure-reducing valves, water mixing valves, air vents, air traps, and ancillary equipment. The company manufactures all kinds of steam traps ranging from the conventional thermostatic, thermodynamic, ball float, and inverted bucket steam traps to the more advanced self-actuating, temperature control steam traps. The company has obtained several certifications, including the ISO 9001:2000 certification, and complies with the Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU.
Marck & Care Engineers Ltd., founded in 1999 and located in New Delhi, Delhi, India, is a manufacturer, exporter, and supplier of industrial valves, sight glasses, automotive strainers, and steam traps. The company’s product catalog includes thermodynamic steam traps, industrial valves and valve fittings, butterfly valves, ball valves, and industrial pipe and tube fittings. Others are knife gate valves, globe valves, lined valves, gate and sluice valves, and pipeline accessories. These valves are used in industries, such as pharmaceutical, petrochemical, oil and gas, food and beverage, and more.
KOSEN VALVE CO. LTD., established in 2000 and based at Dongou Industrial Zone, Oubei town, is an ISO 9001:2000-certified manufacturer and supplier of valves for institutional and commercial applications. The company offers steam traps, gate valves, globe valves, check valves, and butterfly valves. It also supplies manual, electric, pneumatic, and spur bevel gear-operated options. These products are applicable for institutional or commercial freezing, air conditioning, refrigerant injection, and refrigeration circuits. Other industries targeted include thermal power stations, chemicals, petroleum, mining, and machinery. The company also offers technical training to customers to help them with operation, maintenance, and other requurements.
NTGD Valve (China) Co., Ltd. is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial valves that was established in 1991 and is headquartered in Kaifeng, Henan, China. The company produces a wide range of valves, including ball valves, gate valves, globe valves, check valves, and butterfly valves. Its products, such as Forged Ball Valves, Flange Globe Valves, Wedge Gate valves, Lubricated Plug Valves, Dual Plate Check Valves, and Swing Check Valves, are used by a number of industries, as diverse as oil and gas, power generation, and water treatment industries.
Hawa Engineers Ltd, founded in 1993 and located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, is an ISO 9001: 2015 certified manufacturer and supplier of a wide range of industrial valves and related accessories. The company offers steam traps, butterfly valves, check valves, ball valves, and cast iron air valves. Other products include industrial valves such as globe valves, gate valves, pneumatic valves, strainers, and EIL-approved flanges. The company offers these products to several industries, including chemical, water treatment, refinery, mining, and food and beverage, among other sectors.
MAHAVAS PRECISION CONTROLS Pvt. Ltd., founded in 1992 and located at Pune (Maharashtra, India), is a manufacturer and supplier of steam straps, control valves, safety valves, and related products. The company offers various products and services, including flash steam separators, ball float steam traps, pressure relief safety valves, pressure reducing valves, and condenser recovery systems. The company has obtained the ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality, allowing its products to be safely used in industries such as building maintenance, chemicals, petrochemicals, paper and pulp, and more.
Thermax Group, established in 1966 in Pune, India, is a manufacturer and supplier of energy and environment solutions. The company offers a wide range of products and services, including boilers, heaters, chillers, and waste heat recovery systems. These solutions are used in industries such as power, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and more. Thermax's products ensure sustainable energy and resource management, helping industries optimize their processes while minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, the company aims to provide cutting-edge solutions that address the complex challenges of energy efficiency and environmental conservation.
VYC Industrial SAU, established in 1914 in Terrassa, Catalonia, Spain, is a manufacturer and global supplier of all kinds of air extraction, air conditioning, and cooling systems. The company designs, manufactures, and supplies valves for fluid control and interception. It also offers steam boilers, steep traps, and air conditioning systems for industrial applications. These solutions are widely used in various industries, including food processing, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, paper, and more. The company operates in over 80 countries on five continents.
Spirax Sarco is a manufacturer and supplier of steam system solutions, providing products and services to industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and more. The company was established in the UK in 1888 and has since expanded to over 60 countries worldwide, with its US headquarters based in Blythewood, South Carolina. One of their products is the TD62 Thermodynamic Steam Trap, which offers high efficiency and reliability for condensate removal in steam systems. They received awards like 2019 Innovation Award from the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) for their EasiHeat engineered system.
GESTRA AG is headquartered in Bremen, Germany, since 1902 as a designer and manufacturer of valve and control systems. The company deals in boiler controls, steam traps, isolation, and control valves. It also offers check valves, strainers, and service control valves. The products have multiple applications in general manufacturing, chemical, power generation, boiler manufacturing, and oil & gas industries. The products are also essential in maximizing system efficiency and minimizing water consumption in the pulp and paper market. Its services include system auditing, project engineering, steam trap surveys, and automatic broiler control.
Yoshitake Inc., established in 1937, and based in Aichi, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of valves central to piping design. The company product portfolio includes pressure-reducing valve/drain separators, manual valves, safety and relief valves and hot water navigators, among others. The manufactured valves find extensive use in industries such as construction, production equipment, mechanical systems, and other sectors. The company also offers piping design consultation, energy-saving surveys and optimization of production facilities. Yoshitake offers globally compliant, certified products, backed by a global network of distributors to serve clients internationally.
Staitech Ltd, founded in 1997 and headquartered in Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK, is a manufacturer, supplier, and distributor of high-purity system products for use in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. The company's core products include steam traps, sample coolers, sample valves, non-return valves, and sight glasses. A machining service for C22 alloy and stainless steel parts is also available. The company also distributes certain products from various manufacturers such as Steridose, Steriflow, Exergy, Maddison, and Wika.
DELTA STEAM SYSTEMS, founded in 2008 and located in Cape Town, South Africa, is a manufacturer and supplier of steam traps and other metal products. The company’s products include steam straps, venturi steam traps, and venturi orifice steam traps. Industries served include food and beverage, chemicals, packaging, timber, and oil refineries, among others. The company supplies its products to customers in Africa through a well-established distributor network and exports its products to countries such as Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Germany, New Zealand, and the United States.
Vatac Valves Wenzhou Corp, established in 1987 and headquartered in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China, is a global manufacturer and supplier of industrial valve solutions. It offers an extensive line of materials, from conventional steel to special alloys such as Monel, Inconel, Hastelloy, and Duplex steel. Its product portfolio comprises ball valves, gate valves, globe valves, butterfly valves, and through conduit gate valves, adhering strictly to international standards like API, ASTM, ANSI, and ISO. The company holds CE certification and ISO 9001:2000 quality management system accreditation and operates within vast manufacturing facilities spanning over 500,000 square feet.
Pennant Engineering, established in 1985 with locations in the US and India, is an ISO 9001:2008-certified manufacturer of steam traps, pipeline accessories, flow control systems, engineered steam solutions, and other products for the steam and hydronics industries. These solutions are also utilized in various industries, including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, engineering, and power generation. The company exports to over 30 countries worldwide with an extensive distributor network in North America, South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Armstrong International Inc., founded in 1900 and based in Three Rivers, Michigan, is a multi-national manufacturer of thermal utility solutions such as heat transfer coils, heat pumps, and steam products. It provides custom services to companies in various industries, including hospitality, healthcare, and higher education, and a majority of its international facilities have ISO 9001 certification. The products also conform to the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) requirements of 2014. In 1996, it pivoted from manufacturing and added thermal energy engineering services, and in 2005, it received trading approval from the United Nations’ UNFCCC for its steam system methodology.
Lakeside Process Controls Ltd., established in 1988 and located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, is a wholesale distributor of industrial machinery and equipment. The company's core offerings include densitometers and viscometers, pneumatics and solenoids, control valves and regulators, steam straps, and industrial AC drives. The company also offers professional services such as engineering, project management, valve and mechanical operation, control system solutions, and instrumentation field services. Industries catered to include chemicals, water and wastewater, power generation, food and beverage, life science, and more.
Thermal Energy International Inc., established in 1991 and headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, is a supplier of institutional, commercial, and industrial energy efficiency and carbon emission reduction solutions. The company designs, manufactures, and supplies technology lines, including condensate return systems and heat recovery solutions. Its product line includes GEM steam traps, DRY-REX biomass dryers, FLU-ACE heat recovery systems, and Turnkey thermal energy solutions. The company has locations in Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Poland, and other parts of the world.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Marck & Care Engineers Ltd. |
9.4%
|
2 | Staitech Ltd |
6.6%
|
3 | KOSEN VALVE CO., LTD. |
6.0%
|
4 | MIYAWAKI Inc. |
5.2%
|
5 | NTGD Valve (China) Co. LTD |
5.1%
|
6 | Pennant Engineering |
4.7%
|
7 | DSTI |
4.6%
|
8 | Thermax |
4.2%
|
9 | VYC Industrial SAU |
4.1%
|
10 | LAKESIDE PROCESS CONTROLS |
4.0%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the steam trap page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 4 | 21.1% |
India | 4 | 21.1% |
Japan | 3 | 15.8% |
China | 3 | 15.8% |
Canada | 2 | 10.5% |
Spain | 1 | 5.3% |
United Kingdom | 1 | 5.3% |
South Africa | 1 | 5.3% |
6 products are listed.
Kansai Autome Equipment
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・ Reliable energy -saving effect that does not leak raw steam. ・ High durability, no drive part, it does not break (no breakdown for 8 years or mo...