A GEM of a way to save energy and maintenance

Steam users are said to be able to achieve energy savings of up to 55% with the Ruby steam trap range from UK-based Gardner Energy Management (GEM).

A development of GEM's award winning venturi steam trap, the Ruby has been specifically produced for flange applications.

According to GEM, British industry is estimated to waste £3bn a year in energy costs purely through steam loss caused by mechanical steam traps leaking precious steam when open or backing up condensate. With the GEM Ruby there is no steam loss through a trap, fuel is conserved, reliability improved, downtime reduced and safety increased.

Instead of utilising a valve mechanism to close off steam for maximum energy and water conservation, the highly efficient GEM Ruby uses the patented venturi orifice design to effectively drain condensate from the steam system. As the GEM Ruby has no moving parts to wedge open or fail, it requires only minimal maintenance and needs no spares, testing or monitoring equipment.

Available in five sizes ranging from 15-50mm, the GEM Ruby is manufactured from corrosion resistant stainless steel and is guaranteed for 10 years. The three smaller sized steam traps are available with optional filter insert.

The simple design enables the GEM Ruby to be easily and quickly installed into all flanged applications with operating pressures of up to 100-bar (dependent on flange specification), the company says. Ruby steam traps, without an integral strainer, require a flange strainer to be installed in front of it to facilitate the easy inspection and cleaning of the trap.

As the GEM Ruby gives constant rather than intermittent drainage the exchanger output is increased due to thinner condensate film (C1 > C2).

The GEM Ruby provides a fast payback - within a matter of days on some processes - from reduced energy costs and increased equipment reliability due to a reduction in damaging condensate in steam systems.