Steamtip of the month: Steam-powered condensate vs. electric pumps

Steam-powered condensate pumps offer numerous advantages with the following key benefits:

1. There is no requirement for electric motors, level switches and electrical panel – thus simplifying installation.

2. Mounted on a skid, a steam-powered pump package has very few connections to make; hence it is almost like “plug-and-play.”

3. Cavitation problems are associated with electric pumps which can impact negatively on start-up as well as operating cost down-time. Whereas steam-powered pump does not suffer cavitation as it is a positive displacement pump.

4. Steam-powered pumps have no mechanical seals or packing glands to leak – ensuring virtually trouble-free operation.

5. A flow counter can be easily incorporated to provide an economical way of metering the amount of condensate returned.

6. Steam-powered pumps are compact in size resulting in space-saving.

7. As electrical power is not required to operate the pump, steam-powered condensate units are ideal for hazardous areas.

Content provided by Spirax Sarco, originally published in Steam News Magazine.

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