Condensate and heat recovery systems > Mechanical pumps
APT14 automatic pump-trap
APT14 is a Spirax Sarco automatic pump-trap that drains continuously when pressure is available and switches to pressure-powered pumping when backpressure or vacuum prevent ordinary trap discharge.
Quick facts
APT14 automatic pump-trap is a model-specific route for users already looking for APT14, a pump trap or a pressure powered condensate pump for stalled heat exchangers and closed return systems. It sits under the wider mechanical condensate pumps family but narrows the journey down to one verified model.
The verified technical and installation material confirms APT14 as a PN16 automatic pump-trap that changes between trap mode and powered pumping mode according to system conditions. For APT14 itself, the documented connection routes are:
DN40 x DN25 flanged1 1/2" x 1" screwedDN15 (1/2") motive steam / exhaust connectionThe same documentation set also covers APT14HC and APT14SHC, but the specification selector on this page intentionally keeps only standard APT14 complete-unit options.
At the documented reference duty of 1 m installation height, 5 bar g motive steam and 1 bar g backpressure, APT14 is listed with:
5 L pumped per cycle4000 kg/h maximum trapping-mode capacity1100 kg/h maximum pumping-mode capacityAPT14 is usually reviewed where ordinary trap drainage fails because differential pressure falls away, backpressure rises or vacuum develops. That commonly means temperature-controlled heat exchangers, closed condensate return systems, low-level installations and hot condensate duties where electric pumps would add cavitation or hazardous-area complications.
Before final selection, confirm available motive steam pressure, total backpressure, installation height, required condensate load and whether the duty should move up to APT14HC. The verified installation guide also points to standard system checks such as draining the motive steam line properly, fitting a Y strainer at the condensate inlet and reviewing outlet line sizing against flash steam and shared return conditions.
APT14 selection usually sits between condensate recovery, stalled heat exchanger drainage and wider pumped-return decisions.
Return to the mechanical condensate pump family to compare automatic pump traps, pressure powered pumps and wider condensate recovery duties.
Review stalled heat exchanger guidance when the real issue is condensate back-up caused by low differential pressure or rising backpressure.
Compare electrical condensate pumps when the return package is more conventional and does not need trap-and-pump operation in one body.
