Desarrollo de una metodología para estimar la fracción de trabajo de trampas de vapor mediante el metodo de ultrasonido : desarrollo metodológico.

Abstract

The objective of this research is to develop a methodology for determining the work fractionof steam traps. This work fraction is defined as the amount of condensate discharged by the steam trap during its operational time. The methodology was developed based on the analysis of the operational diagrams of the traps, which were obtained through ultrasonic inspections. To this end, three models of steam traps were inspected: thermodynamic, thermostatic, and float with thermostat, and the discharged condensate flow was measured. These inspections were conducted at a food processing plant and at the Pilot Plant of the Department of Food Science and Biotechnology (DECAB) at the Escuela Politécnica Nacional. Subsequently, a calculation method was established based on the relationship between the area under the ultrasound curve and the amount of condensate discharged. This relationship was validated using Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistical tests and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. The results showed a positive correlation between the ultrasound data and the condensate flow. Thus, it is concluded that the work fraction obtained from ultrasonic analysis accurately reflects the condensate discharge.