The purpose of a valve is to enable the user to control the flow of water or steam through a heat transfer system. In a system that transfers heat using steam, control and lockout ball valves are used. A control valve prevents buildup of condensation that could result in malfunctions. A lockout ball valve shuts tightly so that the flow of steam can be turned off.
A strainer works alongside the control valve. It is fixed into a transfer system to remove debris that is caught up in the mechanism so that the flow of steam or water during the process remains pure. This prevents damage to the equipment and prolongs the life of the heat transfer system. Some systems may use additional filtration units such as traps or filters.
A pressure gauge is a dial that can be read by the user. It provides information about the flow of water or steam during heat transfer so that the appropriate conditions can be maintained. For example, if the pressure is too high inside the pipes the gauge will indicate this and the user can turn down the steam or water flow.
Air vents are a vital component of heat transfer, as they regulate the temperature of the parts so that they work efficiently. For example, within a steam heat transfer system, if a layer of air surrounds the system it will act as insulation and damage the equipment. It will also transfer heat from the steam outside of the pipes, and this will reduce the heat transfer rate. Therefore, air vents remove excess buildup of air and avoid these problems.
Pipes and the heat exchanger are the central components of a heat transfer system. The heat exchanger is a steel tube where heat is transferred from one fluid to another. The pipes feed in and out of the exchanger and therefore play a key role in enabling the flow of liquid through the system. For example, they are used in oil coolers, spa pools and engine transmissions.