What occurs when steam traps are not used in a 2 pipe gravity system?

In a two-pipe gravity system, the absence of steam traps can complicate the design of the system significantly. Steam traps serve a critical role by allowing condensate and air to escape from the system while preventing steam from escaping. Without steam traps, condensate can accumulate in parts of the system, leading to potential water hammer, inefficient steam usage, and the inability to properly cycle steam through the system.

This accumulation can create complex flow dynamics that require additional considerations in the system design to mitigate issues such as temperature differentials and improper drainage. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the increased complexity in design that results from not having functional steam traps in place to manage condensate flow effectively.

Efficiency and maintenance aspects are negatively impacted as well, but the key point here is how it affects the overall design, making it more challenging to ensure reliable operation without the aid of steam traps.