Mechanical Engineering - Q&A

Hey all,

I couldn't find a thread that seemed appropriate me to ask my question in, so I thought I might make a Q&A thread specifically for our jobs. Hopefully we can help each other out

I'm a mechanical engineer in the HVAC design field.

My first question today is on the topic of steam systems and design.

I understand steam traps and their purpose, but how do you locate them?! Like how do I know where to put them? Steam is quite new for me (well everything is since I'm only 3 years out of college, but relatively speaking) and I am learning daily.

I know steam load and whatnot, but how do you choose where to locate them? My boss is a PE, so he will ultimately make the call on this stuff, I just am wanting to learn on my own.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks

 

I'm not in HVAC, but in the power industry. We use superheated steam (1005 F and 2400psi), but we do have steam traps on our lower temp steam lines. But just thinking out loud, I would think to put them in a low spot or piping run where the steam might condense back to condensate. Hope this helps some, even if it just gets the gears turning.

 

well for my specific application it will be steam piping in the floor/ceiling in a building. not really any lower elevation points in the lines. I was hoping to find some kind of specification or requirement as to location like "every 100ft of pipe" or something but I have been so unsuccessful!

 

Nothing in ASHRAE?

 

not that I've been able to find. just specific to trap type and sizing and whatnot, but nothing to location and stuff. I am at a loss. I'm sure there is a simple answer somewhere and I'm just missing it.

 

Talk to your vendors, they have tons of info on how and when to use their products. If all else fails put them at the low points.

 

so according to this it's every 100-160ft. https://www.tlv.com/global/US/steam-theory/steam-lines-best-practices.html

I can't give specifics to the project because it's gov't blah blah blah, but the only low point of the system is like right at the supply. So it goes up from supply to ceiling level then over to the equipment. Is putting the trap only a few feet from the supply correct? or a few feet from the piece of equipment? or at elbows?

 

I'm not a ME but have spent several decades in mechanical and general construction and in facility construction management. This might provide the information you need.
https://www.armstronginternational.com/files/common/allproductscatalog/applications.pdf.

 

I took a very quick look at my old hard copies of B31.1, B31.9, and the BPV code and didn't see anything specific. Guess I could download the current versions of 31.1 and 31.9 but don't think it would do any good. It definitely wouldn't be in the BPV code.

 

thanks for the help man! everything I'm reading it's not specific as to required locations just more "recommended" for function and accessibility. I'll put em where I see fit and go with that. My boss will decide what he wants when he's back from vacation lol

 

Hey guys.

Right now I'm a senior in high school and I'm going off to Montana State next year to study mechanical engineering. I'll have some free space in my schedule because I've been able to take most of the prerequisites in a dual enrollment program my high school offers, so I'm open to suggestions. My plan right now is to major in ME and minor in mechatronics because I've heard from a few ME's now that this would be very beneficial in today's world.

So, my question to you all is, how does this sound, and more importantly, what would you have done differently when you were in college? What classes should I focus on for both my minor and any extra classes I may take (outside of the ones for my ME degree obviously) that you believe would be really beneficial to being a well-rounded mechanical engineer today?

 

Don't forget about the areas where the steam velocity slows down. It's not always a low spot. Like between valves or where pipe diameter changes drastically.

 

Good questions. I would ultimately say it depends on your specific desire with what you want to do or what jobs are available around you. In my short experience I can see that more experience with project management would have been beneficial for me and that's what I plan to move towards.

 

Maybe not College but out in the field I learned a lot from a top notch instrument guy. After all, nothing works unless you've got the right controls in the places. Wish I could have spent more time with him but he was a "start up" specialist & in very high demand.

 

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind! I've heard that it's really important to be able to communicate between the engineers and the project managers, and be that middle link to keep everyone on the same page.

Good to know, thanks!

 

And yes control systems! Anything regarding that is helpful. Out systems we design would never do anything without the controls. Niagara, tridium, bacnet, metasys....those are words you should know.

 

.........and swear at some days! Lol

 

Oh so much swearing