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SteamStar User's Manual

Getting Started as a SteamStar User Login Page

Login Page

After you have requested access and received your User ID and Password, you are ready to set up your survey.

  1. Contact Armstrong for Assistance - This will allow you to request a User ID and Password to access your account. This request will go directly to Armstrong, which will in turn contact your local representative for approval. After you have been approved, Armstrong will send your User ID and Password to you via E-mail. You will now be able to enter a survey, and access the SteamStar value-added services.
  2. Webmaster - Allows you to contact our Webmaster for questions or assistance.
  3. Login ID, Password and Language Preference - The Login ID and Password are case sensitive, and must be entered exactly as provided. A language preference can be selected at this time, as well. The default setting is English; however, French, Chinese (Simplified), Dutch, German, Spanish and Italian are also available.

    Click the SUBMIT button to enter SteamStar.

Home Page

  1. Change Password - Allows you to create a password that is different than the one initially assigned to you.
  2. Search Sites - Allows you to quickly search multiple sites within a location.
  3. Help - This feature provides an overview and detailed assistance of SteamStar features and navigation, including:
    • Introduction
    • Login
    • Home Page
    • Moving Around
    • How is my Information Organized within SteamStar?
    • How do I get Started?
    • What if I'm Having Trouble?
  4. Logout - Allows you to logoff SteamStar.
  5. Locations - Drop-down index that allows you to navigate directly to a location when multiple locations are listed under the Home page.
  6. Webmaster - Allows you to contact the Armstrong Webmaster for questions or assistance.
  7. Terms of Use - This page details the terms and conditions of use for SteamStar.
  8. Steam Star Confidentially Agreement.

Location Information

Location information must be established before a survey can be created and entered.

Navigation to this page is possible two ways:

  • Click the location name from the SteamStar Home Page
  • Select the location from the drop-down index on the SteamStar tool bar

The information entered in this section will be used to calculate steam loss in the SteamStar formulas, so be sure to accurately enter this information.

  1. Location

    SSO Demo1 Example - The first step in entering your survey is to establish basic information on a specific location. There are six mandatory data fields in this section. (Mandatory items are identified with bold type.) The mandatory items are:

    • Reference ID
    • Location Name
    • Country
    • Currency
    • Units
    • Industry
  2. Inspection Frequency Defaults
    Default value is in months
  3. Time in Service Defaults (months/years)
    Determines total steam loss calculations.
  4. Production Units
  5. Steam Costs
    Cost of steam per 1000-pounds of steam for different pressures.
  6. User Defined Field
    Allows you to add data that is unique to your facility. Select the "Show in List" option if you would like this column heading and related data to appear in the Trap Inventory and Trap Survey listings.
  7. Notes
    Used for extra notations.

Please Note: Items in the Location field can be edited by selecting "Edit Location" from the tool bar, or the "Edit" button found under the "Location" heading.


Trap Surveys

The Survey List displays established locations. To enter additional surveys select the New Survey key.

  1. Survey List - In this example, GBA 60306 is the first (and only) survey in the Survey List (under the location SSO Demo1). Clicking GBA 60306 will direct you to set-up information for that survey. Four mandatory fields and several optional data fields must be completed. The mandatory fields are:

    • Survey Type
    • Description
    • Item Count
    • Start Date

    Edit
    Selecting the Edit button will direct you to the set-up page where General, Boiler Fuel Information, and Notes can be added, updated or edited. A series of drop-down menus allow you to easily enter responses.

    Save, Cancel, and Recalculate
    If data is edited or changed within this section, after the initial set-up, the Recalculate button will update the loss calculations in the survey.

    Please Note: If everything looks satisfactory here, you are ready to enter "Survey Items."

Trap ReSurvey

SteamStar can copy existing data to a new survey by following the steps below.

  1. From the location page, select the TRAP SURVEY option in the yellow tool bar.
  2. Select the NEW SURVEY button.
  3. Name the survey in the DESCRIPTION box.
  4. Complete all required fields (in bold).
  5. Answer

Sample Survey

This is an actual survey for GBA 60306. It includes 50 traps with various manufacturers, conditions, and other data.

  1. Tag Number - Selecting Tag 001 displays a wide range of data about this particular trap. Eight mandatory fields (in bold type), and several other fields that help identity the trap location. The mandatory data includes:

    • Tag Number
    • Application
    • Months/Years in Use
    • Manufacturer
    • Model/Connection Size
    • PMO (psig)
    • Pressure Out (psig)
    • Condition

Selecting the Edit button displays a number of pull-down menus that allow you to modify and revise trap data, including:

  1. Identification - The tag number will sequence automatically when entering multiple traps.

  2. Model - This screen provides pull-down menu options for:

    3. Manufacturer - Select the manufacturer from the complete listing of more than 80 manufacturers

    Model/Connection Size - This list will be generated based on the manufacturer selected in the previous screen. A list of all known traps made by that manufacturer will be displayed.

    PMO (psig) - Based on the model number selected, a selection of pressures will be provided, based on the orifices available for that trap.

  3. Installation - Pressure out (psig) is a mandatory entry.
  4. Piping - No mandatory fields.
  5. Steam - Supply and discharge are mandatory.

  6. Evaluation - Condition choices include:

    NT = Not Tested
    OK = Good
    OS = Not in Service
    FT = Fault
    BT = Blow Through
    LK = Leak
    PL = Plugged
    RC = Rapid Cycling
    FL = Flooded
    UNK = Unknown
    NF = Not Found
    LOS = Loss of Signal
    CD = Cold

  7. Trap Survey History - Includes data pertaining to changes to that trap. Survey history will remain with the trap as long as the Tag Number remains the same.
  8. General Notes for Trap
  9. SteamEye Configuration - For SteamEye use only.

Sorting Options

This feature allows you sort and review the trap survey using the following criteria:

  1. In Service - Choose between "any" or "in service."
  2. Defective - Choose between "any" or "defective."
  3. Condition - Choose between 13 different trap conditions.
  4. Number of Traps - Choose between 50,100, or 200 traps.
  5. Pressure - Sort data by steam pressure.

Selecting Apply Filters allows you to review the survey according to the criteria entered above.

Please Note: Another method of quickly locating a trap is to enter a specific Tag Number or Location in the search boxes.

The Survey Tab Presents Survey Details by Trap

  1. Tag number - Each trap must have a different tag number.
  2. Manufacturer - A pull down list is available for a number of manufacturers.
  3. Model - After selecting a manufacturer, a list of model numbers for the selected manufacturer's product is available.
  4. Unit Location - Allows you to better locate specific traps.
  5. Condition - Includes nine possible trap conditions.
  6. Steam Loss (lbs/yr) - Calculates the steam loss for defective traps based on the United Nations approved formulas. A copy of the SteamStar formulas can be found in the Survey Report section of the Trap Survey Report package.
  7. CO2 emissions (lbs/yr) - Calculates CO2 loss for defective traps based on:
  8. Fuel Loss (lbs/yr)
  9. SOX Emissions (lbs/yr)
  10. NOX emissions (lbs/yr)
  11. CO emissions (lbs/yr)
  12. Annual Cost - Steam loss per year is multiplied by the cost of steam entered. Data is depicted in the currency linked to the language preference selected on SteamStar's Home page.
  13. Comments - If populated, the Comments section for each trap will be indicated with a "yes." Selecting the "yes" link will allow the content to be viewed.
  14. Attachments - Pictures, downloads, etc can be added to each individual trap and displayed here.

Trap Survey Page Toolbar

Please Note: For information on Survey Information and Survey Items refer to Section 7.

  1. Survey Reports - A number of survey reports are automatically populated and available for output as PDF and MS Excel files. Available reports and their output format include:

    1. Trap Survey Report Package, includes:

        General Summary (PDF)
        Steam Trap Executive Summary (PDF)
        Steam Trap Executive Summary with Charts (PDF)
        Manufacturer Summary (PDF)
        Trap Recommendations Chart (PDF)

    2. Survey Log Detail - Includes completed survey sheets. (PDF)
    3. Blank Trap Survey Sheets - Blank sheets for use with a new survey. (PDF)
    4. Trap Survey Item Listing - Summary of the trap survey. (MS EXCEL)
  2. Validation Rules - Allows you to select mandatory fields of trap data.
  3. Exceptions - Displays trap data that was "Saved with Exceptions." This function allows you to override a mandatory field.

  4. Add New Trap - Allows for an addition to the current survey.

    Recalculate: If the steam cost is changed or any information on the Survey Info screen is changed, the survey can be recalculated to reflect the changes.

    Please Note: Selecting the Recalculate option overrides any previous calculations, therefore, be sure you want the information for the entire survey to update before selecting this option.

  5. Edit Trap Data - Additional locations from which trap data can be edited.

Steam Trap Repair and Replacement

When steam traps are repaired and/or replaced the SteamStar database should be updated. It is IMPORTANT to note that changes to the trap population should be done using the TRAP INVENTORY section, NOT the TRAP SURVEY. If changes are made to reflect repair or replacement in the survey, all history and calculations will be erased.

The TRAP INVENTORY should be used as the workable database, NOT the Trap Survey. The TRAP INVENTORY can be accessed from the LOCATION INFORMATION tab and then selecting TRAP INVENTORY from the yellow tool bar.

Best Practice Package

SteamStar premium service features include:

  1. Benchmarking Report

    1. Details how locations perform compared to each other.
    2. Illustrates where the greatest steam losses occur across an entire portfolio.
    3. Current activity to mitigate these loses.

  2. Trending Analysis

    1. Historical annual steam loss by facility.
    2. Historical steam loss for each trap location.
    3. Historical annual loss for each trap location, defined by steam loss, labor and material costs.
    4. Historical annual emissions from each facility or unit, including NOX, SOX, and CO2.
  3. Work Order Report
  4. Emissions Report


Please send questions and comments to the Smart Services Group
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