Vapor system

WFO

What I am dealing with is what I believe is a vapor system without radiator

traps. The steam enters the radiator on top with an Adsco modulating

valve with an interchangeable orifice. The condensate returns on the bottom of the radiator's opposite side into a dry return with the main vent at the

end of the line. The confusing thing is every radiator has a Hoffman or

Gorton steam vent halfway down on the return side of the radiator.

Are these steam vents supposed to be on this type of system? Our

feeling is that they were added after. The valves on the radiators are

3/4 iron pipe angled valves. Are these valves still available to purchase

or how would I go about replacing some of the valves in the

system?

Jamie Hall

Those vents

don't belong there.  Not that they will do that much harm, but they shouldn't be there and they could easily make it remarkably difficult to get even heat.



Why do you need to replace the valves?  But they can be had if you need them...



Be sure your pressure is low enough -- those systems like a maximum pressure on the order of a few ounces.  A vapourstat is almost mandatory.

MTC

Make sure your mains are well vented,

and that the pressure settings are low, as Jamie said. Remove the vents on the rads and plug them.



Then see if your valves are performing well or not. They might be dripping from overpressure, if that is the case, and will be fine if you get all those things in order.