What type of steam trap is controlled by the temperature difference between condensate and steam?

The correct answer is based on the operation of thermostatic traps, which use the principle of temperature difference between the condensate and steam to function. These traps are designed to sense the temperature of the steam and the condensate flowing through them.

When steam enters the trap, it is at a higher temperature compared to condensate. The thermostatic element within the trap responds to this temperature difference—when the temperature of the condensate drops (indicating that it is no longer steam), the thermostatic element will close or open the valve accordingly. This allows steam to escape while preventing the loss of useful steam, thus maintaining system efficiency.

The effectiveness of a thermostatic trap is tied directly to its sensitivity to temperature changes, allowing it to operate without the need for additional mechanical mechanisms or float systems, making them well-suited for applications where steam and condensate need to be managed based on temperature.

In contrast, float traps rely on the buoyancy of a float to control discharge, the inverted bucket trap uses the principle of buoyancy as well but with a different operational mechanism, and mechanical traps encompass a broader range of designs but do not specifically operate based on temperature differences.