Orifice steam traps consist of simply a disc or short solid pipe nipple with a small hole drilled through it inserted in the line at the lowest point of the equipment. Since steam condensate will collect at the lowest point and this hot liquid is about 1200 times smaller in volume and more dense than live steam, condensate is effectively removed and steam is blocked. If the heating load increases, liquid will back up in the equipment. If the load is light, then there is little liquid present and live steam will escape through the orifice. It will not handle or remove non-condensible gases successfully. These basic inabilities have spawned a multitude of steam trap designs and configurations to meet a whole spectrum of applications. No single steam trap design is ideal for each and every application.