BP OIL CO.

RP 5-11-2
STEAM TRAPS Page 1 of 14
REFINING PRACTICE
Rev. 4 Dec. 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

1.0 SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2.0 REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

3.0 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

4.0 DOCUMENTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

5.0 DESIGN AND LAYOUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

5.1 Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
5.2 Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5.3 Strainers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5.4 Condensate Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5.5 Steam Trap Piping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

6.0 SELECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

7.0 INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

TABLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

FIGURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

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 BP OIL CO. RP 5-11-2
STEAM TRAPS Page 2 of 14
REFINING PRACTICE
Rev. 4 Dec. 1998

1.0 SCOPE

1.1 This Practice covers the requirements for selection, design, layout and fabrication of steam traps for
refinery services.

1.2 Additional requirements for traps on rotating equipment are covered in RP 5-8-1 .

1.3 Any deviation to this Practice must be approved by the procedure given in RP 0-1-3 .

1.4 An asterisk (*) indicates that a decision by the Owner’s Engineer or Owner is required, or that additional
information is furnished by the Purchaser.

1.5 A revision bar indicates all changes made to this Revision.

2.0 REFERENCES

The latest edition of the following standards and publications are referred to herein, and shall be used
with this Practice.

STANDARDS AND PUBLICATIONS

BP Oil Refining Practices

RP 0-1-3 Deviations to BP Oil Refining Practices
RP 5-2-1 Selection of Piping Components and Materials
RP 5-5-3 Piping Erection and Testing
RP 5-8-1 Piping for Rotating Equipment
RP 5-11-1 Steam Piping
RP 5-11-3 Steam Tracing

3.0 DEFINITIONS

3.1 Contractor – Company or business that agrees to furnish materials or perform specified services at
a specified price and/or rate to the Owner.

3.2 Inspector – A BP Oil Company appointed engineer or inspector.

3.3 Manufacturer – The recipient of a direct or indirect purchase order for materials and/or equipment. In
this context, a direct order is one issued to a manufacturer by a contractor or the Owner. An indirect
order is one issued to a manufacturer by a vendor (recipient of a direct order) for materials, fabricated
components, or subassemblies.

3.4 Owner – BP Company.

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 BP OIL CO. RP 5-11-2
STEAM TRAPS Page 3 of 14
REFINING PRACTICE
Rev. 4 Dec. 1998

3.5 Owner’s Engineer – A BP Company appointed engineer.

3.6 Purchaser – The party placing a direct purchase order. The purchaser is the Owner’s designated
representative.

4.0 DOCUMENTATION

* 4.1 Steam trap installation drawings shall be submitted to the Owner’s Engineer for approval.

4.2 The following information shall be shown on the trap installation drawings:

1. Trap specifications, including type of trap (e.g., thermostatic or inverted bucket), model number,
nominal pipe size of inlet and outlet connections, and trap location. Specify orifice size for inverted
bucket traps.

2. Specify the type of installation, see Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3.

3. Piping material specification.

5.0 DESIGN AND LAYOUT

5.1 Design

1. Trap materials of construction must be at least equivalent to the materials stipulated for the inlet
piping, see RP 5-2-1 . Trap bodies shall have a design pressure/temperature rating at least
equivalent to the design conditions of the inlet piping. The minimum acceptable rating shall be 150
psig and 450°F.

2. All traps shall be designed to fail open.

* 3. Thermostatic traps shall have Monel or stainless steel bellows and replaceable stainless steel
valves and seats, unless otherwise approved by the Owner’s Engineer.

* 4. The following are required for sizing steam traps and shall be obtained from the Owner’s
Engineer:

a. Condensate loads; startup and continuous.

b. Pressure at inlet and outlet of trap.
c. Quantity of air and noncondensables that must be vented.

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 BP OIL CO. RP 5-11-2
STEAM TRAPS Page 4 of 14
REFINING PRACTICE
Rev. 4 Dec. 1998

5. The following safety factors shall be used in sizing traps:

a. Inverted Bucket Traps – 4

b. Thermodynamic Traps – 3
c. Thermostatic Traps – 2

5.2 Layout

1. Steam traps shall be installed in the following locations:

a. Immediately upstream of vertical risers in steam piping (including control valve manifolds).
b. At horizontal steam header terminal points.
c. On long runs of steam piping.
d. At intermediate points on steam headers. The spacing of the traps depends on steam quality,
line size, insulation, and flow but should never exceed 500 feet.
e. All low points in the steam main.
f. Upstream of pressure reducing or other control valves.
g. Upstream of each piece of steam operated machinery, unless otherwise specified in RP 5-8-1
.
h. At steam heat exchanger condensate outlets.
i. Steam tracer condensate headers, as specified in RP 5-11-3 .

* 2. All points of condensate removal shall be individually trapped. Two independent sources of
condensate shall not be manifolded upstream of a steam trap; and steam trap discharge piping
shall not be manifolded downstream of a steam trap unless approved by Owner’s Engineer.

3. The location and layout of steam traps for rotating equipment shall be in accordance with RP 5-8-1
.

4. In freezing climates, steam traps shall also be provided above all normally closed or infrequently
operated steam line valves where condensate may be trapped.

5. Steam traps shall be located so as to be accessible for maintenance and shall be lower than the
piping or equipment they serve.

6. Steam traps shall have an integral strainer, or shall have a separate strainer in accordance with
paragraph 5.3.

7. Disk type traps shall be limited to steam tracers and drip legs with operating pressure less than
175 psig. Disk type traps shall be mounted horizontally. When a condensate return system is
used, the disk type trap shall not be used where the back pressure will exceed 50 percent of the
trap inlet pressure. (Back pressure is based on psia, not psig. A 15 psig tracer discharging to
atmosphere has approximately 50% back pressure.)

8. When bucket traps are used for outside service, they shall be provided with suitable drains, and
insulated.

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 BP OIL CO. RP 5-11-2
STEAM TRAPS Page 5 of 14
REFINING PRACTICE
Rev. 4 Dec. 1998

9. Thermostatic traps and 18 inches of their inlet piping shall not be insulated.

10. All thermodynamic and thermostatic traps should be installed in a vertical line, discharging
downward to insure that the traps and lines remain freeze proof even during shutdown.

11. If two or more traps are required for one piece of equipment they shall be installed in parallel with
separate isolation valves.

5.3 Strainers

“Y” type strainers shall be installed upstream of all steam traps that do not have integral strainers.
When installed in freezing climates, the strainer shall be installed with the strainer leg in the horizontal
plane.

5.4 Condensate Handling

* 1. The method of handling condensate from steam traps shall be as described in the Process Design
Specification or as approved by the Owner’s Engineer.

2. In remote areas where catch basins or collection systems do not exist, the condensate shall be
discharged into a suitable dry well or french drain designed for the prevailing soil conditions, etc.,
and located to minimize discharge of vapors in process areas.

3. The application of condensate pots is covered in RP 5-11-1 .

5.5 Steam Trap Piping

1. In addition to the requirements given in this Practice, the requirements for steam system piping
as given in RP 5-11-1 shall be followed.

* 2. Steam trap inlet piping shall not contain condensate pockets, unless approved by the Owner’s
Engineer. If pockets cannot be avoided, the total depth in feet (H) of the sum of all pockets (A +
B) shall not exceed the following:

H = A + B v Condensate Source Pressure – Trap Outlet Pressure

3

where H, A and B are as shown in Figure 4.

3. Two independent sources of condensate shall not be manifolded upstream of a steam trap.

4. Steam trap discharge piping shall not be manifolded unless back pressure criteria are met and
approval is given by the Owner’s Engineer.

5. There shall be a shut-off valve in the inlet line to the trap. The valve shall be adjacent to the drip
leg or equipment. If the valve is inaccessible from grade, platform or permanent ladder, or more

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 BP OIL CO. RP 5-11-2
STEAM TRAPS Page 6 of 14
REFINING PRACTICE
Rev. 4 Dec. 1998

than 20 feet from the trap, a second valve shall be installed at the trap. When a trap discharges
into a condensate return system, a shut-off valve shall also be provided downstream of the trap.

* 6. Unless otherwise specified, trap discharges shall be piped to the nearest sewer. If the discharge
line from the trap to the sewer is over 5 feet long, a line discharging the trap into a funnel shall
be provided. The funnel, in turn, shall be attached to a larger diameter line discharging into the
sewer. Discharge piping from the trap or funnel shall be sloped to provide drainage away form the
trap or funnel.

7. When steam traps and strainers are provided separately, they shall be piped with unions, spiral
unions, or flanges to permit removal of the trap and/or strainer for maintenance without
dismantling piping.

8. A swing-type check valve shall be installed downstream of a steam trap if the steam trap does
not have an integral check valve and when:

a. The discharge line is subject to back pressure.

b. A number of traps discharge into a common header.
c. A trap discharges into a riser.

9. Bypass and block valves shall be installed if a trap is draining equipment which must remain in
service when the trap is removed. If trap outage cannot be tolerated, a spare trap shall be installed
in parallel with the primary trap.

6.0 SELECTION

6.1 The type of steam trap to be used in any given steam pressure system is a plant preference and varies
from plant to plant. Consequently, this Practice does not require one particular type of trap for each
system. Steam trap selection on capital and maintenance projects should be based on the type
standardized on in that particular plant in order to minimize the number of traps and replacement parts
that must be kept in the plant warehouse.

6.2 One of the following general type steam traps should normally be used:

1. Bimetallic-thermostatic

2. Bellows-thermostatic

3. Float-thermostatic

4. Inverted bucket

5. Thermodynamic

6.3 Service requirements may necessitate the use of two different type traps to drain some equipment
when pressure range is wide or when condensate load fluctuation is severe.

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 BP OIL CO. RP 5-11-2
STEAM TRAPS Page 7 of 14
REFINING PRACTICE
Rev. 4 Dec. 1998

6.4 A recommended guide for selecting steam traps is provided in Table 1. The table is broad in scope and
not all steam trap applications are indicated.

* 6.5 The Owner’s Engineer shall be contacted for the type of trap to use under the following conditions:

1. If a lifting-type trap is required, such as for condensing turbines.

2. When it is necessary to locate traps above the unit being drained. In this instance, a check valve
shall be installed immediately upstream of the trap.

6.6 Trap energy efficiency shall be considered in selecting traps.

6.7 Traps shall be selected from manufacturer’s catalog.

* 6.8 If two or more traps are required to meet the condensate load or differential pressure requirements,
the selection shall be approved by Owner’s Engineer.

7.0 INSTALLATION

7.1 All steam traps shall be installed per Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3 so they are readily accessible
for maintenance and located as near as possible to the condensate source.

7.2 Traps shall be connected in accordance with their inlet and outlet or flow direction markings.

7.3 Inlet and discharge piping shall be at least as large as the trap connections.

7.4 Threaded connections shall be seal welded in accordance with RP 5-5-3 , except threaded
connections to trap bodies shall not be seal welded.

7.5 Condensate Piping shall be as follows:

1. Nonfreeze installations – inlet and discharge piping shall be self-draining. (Horizontal lines are
considered to be self-draining.

* 2. Other installations – inlet and discharge shall preferably be self-draining; if pockets are
unavoidable, the routing of the lines must be approved by the Owner’s Engineer.

7.6 When steam loss detectors are utilized, the sensor chamber shall be installed immediately upstream
of the steam trap in a horizontal line.

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 BP OIL CO. RP 5-11-2
STEAM TRAPS Page 8 of 14
REFINING PRACTICE
Rev. 4 Dec. 1998

TABLE 1
GUIDE FOR SELECTING TYPE OF STEAM TRAP

Selection (9)

Inverted Bimetallic Balanced Float Thermo- Liquid Ex-

Service Bucket Thermo- Pressure Thermo- dynamic pansion
(1)(3) static(11) Thermo- static Thermo-
static(2) (1)(2) static
(12)

Superheated Steam — 1 — 1(10) 2 —

Saturated Steam Mains:
Very Low Pressure 2 — 2 1 — —
(0-20 psig)
Low Pressure 2 — 1 2 1(6) —
(20-90 psig)
Medium Pressure 2 — 2 — 1 —
(90-300 psig)
High Pressure 2 1 — — 1 —
(u300 psig)
Supply Lines to Turbines 2 — 2 1(13) 1 —
Supply Lines to Process
Equipment:
Low Pressure with 2 — 2 1 — —
Po u 50% Pi (7)
High Pressure or Low 2 3 2 1 1 —
Pressure with
Po t 50% Pi (7)
Process Reboilers and
Closely Controlled 2 — — 1 2 —
Exchangers
Process Heaters, Pre-
heaters, Kettles, Driers:
Low Pressure — — 2 1 — —
(t100 psig)
Medium Pressure — — 1 2 2 —
(100–300 psig)
High Pressure 1 — 2 — 2 —
(u300 psig)
Turbine Casings Drains(4) 2 — 2 1 1(13) —

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 BP OIL CO. RP 5-11-2
STEAM TRAPS Page 9 of 14
REFINING PRACTICE
Rev. 4 Dec. 1998

TABLE 1
GUIDE FOR SELECTING TYPE OF STEAM TRAP (CONTINUED)

Selection (9)

Inverted Bimetallic Balanced Float Thermo- Liquid Ex-

Service Bucket Thermo- Pressure Thermo- dynamic pansion
(1)(3) static(11) Thermo- static Thermo-
static(2) (1)(2) static
(12)

Storage Tank Heating Coils:

Po u 50% Pi (7) 2 2 1 2 — 1
Po t 50% Pi 2 2 2 2 3 1
Exhaust Steam Lines (Low
Pressure):
DP t 50% Pi (8) 2 — 2 1 — —
DP u 50% Pi 2 — — 1 2 —
Freeze Protection of Outside — 2 2 — 1 1
Equipment
Steam Tracing — 2 1 — 1 2

NOTES:
(1) Inverted bucket traps and float-thermostatic traps: where intermittent operation might result in condensate freezing, other type traps
shall be considered or freeze protection provided.
(2) Bellows- and float-thermostatic traps shall not be used where water hammer is expected such as tank steam heating applications.
(3) Inverted bucket traps should not be used where small loads or rapid pressure drops would result in loss of prime.
(4) A lifting-type trap is required for condensing turbines where exhaust steam pressure is below atmospheric.
* (5) Type of condensate removal device shall be approved by Owner’s Engineer.
(6) For discharge to sewer only.
(7) Pi –Steam trap inlet pressure, Po –Steam trap outlet pressure, units are psia.
(8) DP – Difference between pressure at trap inlet (Pi) and trap outlet (Po), units are psia.
(9) 1 – First choice, 2 – second choice, 3 – third choice.
(10) Use bimetal air vent when steam is superheated 45_ or more above saturation temperature.
(11) When subcooling and condensate backup is desired (energy savings).
(12) When subcooling to control temperature is desired.
(13) Low pressure.

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 BP OIL CO. RP 5-11-2
STEAM TRAPS Page 10 of 14
REFINING PRACTICE
Rev. 4 Dec. 1998

FIGURE 1
INVERTED BUCKET TRAP INSTALLATION

See Alternative Source Of

A Condensate
Keep Line As Short D (3)
As Possible And (5) (6)
Slope To Sewer. B (3)
4 FT. Maximum

Route Underground
When Possible. CL 90o Ell
C and Nipple
Trap (2)
(1)
Min.

Grade or
6 In.

Strainer Platform

TYPE ”A” INSTALLATION (SEWER DRAIN TYPE)

To Condensate
Recovery System
A (3)
Source Of
See Alternative A Condensate
(3)
(7) B
(3) (6) B (3)
4 FT. Maximum

CL 90o Ell
C and Nipple
Trap (2)
(1)
Min.

Grade or
6 In.

Strainer Platform

TYPE ”B” INSTALLATION (CONDENSATE RECOVERY TYPE)

B C
(3) (2)
ALTERNATIVE FOR TRAPS WITH SIDE INLET AND SIDE OUTLET
NOTES:
(1) Mount trap in upright position with top of trap level.
(2) Install gate valve C on trap horizontal center line for test and bleed.
(3) Install gate valves B only when gate valves A are not accessible.
(4) Trap Model Number and size, steam and condensate system piping materials, and trap inlet and outlet line sizes shall be as shown
on drawings.
(5) Valve D required to re-establish prime in bucket traps.
* (6) Bypass line required when specified by Owner’s Engineer.
(7) Swing type check valve required per paragraph 5.5.8.

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 BP OIL CO. RP 5-11-2
STEAM TRAPS Page 11 of 14
REFINING PRACTICE
Rev. 4 Dec. 1998

FIGURE 2
THERMOSTATIC TRAP INSTALLATION

Source Of
Condensate

A (3)

B (3) Alternate For Float–Thermostatic

See
Alternate
4 Ft. Maximum

C (2)

See
Note 1
Grade Or
Platform
To Sewer
Type ”C” or Drain To Condensate
Recovery System
Source Of
Condensate

A (3)
A (3) (5)

B (3)

See
Alternate
4 Ft. Maximum

C (2)
B (3)
See (6)
Note 1
C (2)
Grade Or
Platform
Type ”D”

NOTES:
(1) Strainer not required if trap has integral strainer.
(2) Install gate valve C for test or bleed.
(3) Install gate valves B only when gate valves A are not accessible.
(4) Trap Model Number and size, steam and condensate system piping materials, and trap inlet and outlet line sizes shall be as shown
on drawings.
* (5) Bypass line required when specified by Owner’s Engineer.
(6) Swing type check valve required per paragraph 5.5.8.

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 BP OIL CO. RP 5-11-2
STEAM TRAPS Page 12 of 14
REFINING PRACTICE
Rev. 4 Dec. 1998

FIGURE 3A
THERMODYNAMIC TRAP INSTALLATION

Source of Source of
Condensate Condensate

A (2) A (2) To Condensate

Recovery System
(5)

B (2) B (2)
90o Ell 90o Ell A (2)
and nipple C (1) and nipple C (1)

(4) (4)
B (2)

(6)
To Sewer C (1)
or Drain

Type ”E” Type ”F”

NOTES:
(1) Install gate valve C for test or bleed.
(2) Install gate valves B only when gate valves A are not accessible.
(3) Trap Model Number and size, steam and condensate system piping materials, and trap inlet and outlet line sizes shall be as shown
on drawings.
(4) In non-freezing climates, trap may be installed in horizontal run, as shown in Figure 3B.
* (5) Bypass line required when specified by Owner’s Engineer.
(6) Swing type check valve required per paragraph 5.5.8.

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 BP OIL CO. RP 5-11-2
STEAM TRAPS Page 13 of 14
REFINING PRACTICE
Rev. 4 Dec. 1998

FIGURE 3B
THERMODYNAMIC TRAP INSTALLATION
(NON-FREEZING CLIMATES)
Source of To Condensate
Condensate Recovery System

A (3) A (3)
(5)

(6)

B (3) B (3)

C (2) See Note 1 C (2)

NOTES:
(1) Strainer not required if trap has integral strainer.
(2) Install gate valves C for test or bleed.
(3) Install gate valves B only when gate valves A are not accessible.
(4) Trap model number and size, steam and condensate system piping materials, and trap inlet and outlet sizes shall be as shown on
drawings.
* (5) By-pass line not required unless specified by Owner’s Engineer.
(6) Swing type check valve required per paragraph 5.5.8.

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 BP OIL CO. RP 5-11-2
STEAM TRAPS Page 14 of 14
REFINING PRACTICE
Rev. 4 Dec. 1998

FIGURE 4
CONDENSATE POCKET LIMITATION

TRAP

H = A + B t Condensate Source Pressure – Trap Outlet Pressure

3

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