Quote Originally Posted by NH3LVR
Use caution however. The Specific Gravity of NH3 is different than water. If the pressure difference is too high the float may not operate.
Sound advice.

It is important to realize how a steam trap operates and the principles related to their capacity.

The specific gravity is the first item. Ammonia (depending on the actual liquid temperature) has a specific gravity somewhere between 0.5 to 0.6. The steam trap capacities are based on a specific gravity of 1.0 (for water).

Any condensate flow of ammonia has to be converted to an equivalent flow in terms of water.

The second item is the orifice size and pressure differential that will exist across the trap. More pressure differential will mean a greater flow rate capability for a given orifice diameter. Too much differential and some traps can lock up.

Also, different traps have certain limitations that need to be considered.

As with any other application of components it is important to select the component using good information with the limits of that component in mind.