| While often used in many different types of liquid applications, a
Y-Strainer is considered the standard for steam applications and is
almost universally used for these applications. Its compact,
cylindrical shape is very strong and can handle high pressures. It
is, literally, a pressure vessel. Y-Strainers which handle
pressures up to 6000 psi are not uncommon. Of course, in these
cases, the design of the strainer is critical so that it can stand
up to these high pressures without fear of failure. When high
pressure steam is being handled, another complicating factor
arises, temperature. With steam pressures of 1500 psi or higher,
standard carbon steel is sometimes not suitable because the steam
temperature may be 1000° F or higher. In these cases, the
Y-Strainer body is generally made of chrome-moly steel. Besides steam, Y-Strainers are often used in air and natural gas
applications. Here again, high pressures are not uncommon. However,
unlike steam high air pressure does not automatically mean high
temperature and so, ordinary carbon steel bodies of sufficient wall
thickness will generally suffice. Unlike other types of strainers, a Y-Strainer has the advantage of
being able to be installed in either a horizontal or vertical
position. Obviously, in both cases, the screening element must be
on the "down side" of the strainer body so that the entrapped
material can properly collect in it. Some manufactures reduce the size of the Y -Strainer body to save
material and cut cost. Before installing a Y-Strainer, be sure it
is large enough to properly handle the flow. A low-priced strainer
may be an indication of an undersized unit. |
