Implementing GEM™ Steam Trap Technology 

A Thermal Energy International steam trap survey provides a full audit of your steam traps. Using our CREST survey tool, information is gathered at each location to assess trap condition and operational performance. The survey concludes with a clear report detailing the percentage of failed traps, along with prioritised recommendations and observations, giving you a comprehensive view of system condition. 

The survey provides:

• A complete, tagged inventory of all steam traps
• Condition assessment by process and area
• Thermal images and photographs at each location
• Identification of failed, leaking, or constrained traps

Working with your team, we ensure fuel costs, maintenance costs and operating hours are accurately captured. Using conservative and proven saving assumptions, we build a project case that supports internal CAPEX approval and any additional government funding available in your locality.

Our focus is on providing a clear business case, and producing credible, defensible figures built on agreed assumptions — numbers that withstand both technical review and financial scrutiny.

The resulting report supports:

• Internal CAPEX approval processes
• Evaluation against your preferred financial metrics
• Applications for local or national energy-efficiency incentives

Sizing is the service.

When you purchase a GEM Trap, you are not buying a generic specification — you are investing in engineered implementation, verified performance, and long-term accountability.

Venturi technology only performs as intended when correctly sized.

If oversized, the condensate seal becomes unstable at low load, allowing live steam to pass and undermining project ROI.

If undersized, condensate backs up into equipment, impairing heat exchange and process performance.

In both cases, uncontrolled mixing of steam and condensate increases the risk of waterhammer, corrosion, and avoidable maintenance.

Every GEM Steam Trap is individually calibrated using site survey data and validated through discussion with operators and OEMs. Where appropriate, we apply at least two independent sizing routes to confirm alignment between calculated load and real operating conditions.

Each trap is engineered for its specific duty and assigned a unique serial number linking it back to the sizing calculation, application data, and manufacturing records.

GEM Steam Traps are commissioned by our engineers under live operating conditions, using thermal imaging and calibrated temperature measurements.

We understand that many steam systems are mature assets, process equipment documentation may be incomplete or modified over time, and equipment does not always operate exactly as originally designed.  Where commissioning identifies that further optimisation of sizing is required, we will revise calibration and supply a replacement trap free of charge.

Each trap is then signed off and registered under our ten-year performance guarantee reflecting our responsibility for correct sizing, implementation, and long-term performance.