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Re: Long-term project to update old hydronic -- let's start with the Mercoid switch!
Two very different groups of actions here.
As you note, the number one priority if tightening up the house. That will determine how much fuel you use — although a newer boiler will, of course, make a difference too. But the envelope is the biggy.
The boiler… well, you probably need a new one. Until you do that, though, there isn't much point in worrying about the control. The old Mercoid may be out of adjustment — but it is reliable. You do want to worry about return temperature with the old boiler, though. They were never intended to condense, and so you want to make sure the return temperatures get above 140 for most of each heating cycle.
Re: What does "Wet Steam" mean to you?
My expectation would be that very wet steam would, after all the vents are closed, lead to higher pressure and eventually burner cycling. If there isn’t a proper header there could be cycling on the low water cutoff. Assuming all the pipes are pitched properly and the radiation is oversized for the house, I’m guessing you’d never know it was happening, except for the problems with vents getting debris in them. Just a guess.
Matt_67
Re: What does "Wet Steam" mean to you?
To measure create a simplified one pipe one radiator system. Put a drip right before the radiator inlet. Counterflow from boiler to radiator. Measure temperature at radiator (ideally multiple temperature sensors top, bottom, near and far). Configure boiler nbp to create driest and wettest steam. Run boiler for X amount of time. Over that time measuretotal condensate collected and measure area under each temperature sensor curve plotted as temperature vs time. Compare results for wettest steam config vs driest. Repeat 3 times each in randomized order.
Volunteers?😉
Re: What does "Wet Steam" mean to you?
Saturated steam (which is what heating boilers produce) is not "wet". It just means there's no superheat.
Wet means droplets. (Got this drummed into my head by a powerplant turbine guy- where you REALLY don't want droplets)
Re: What does "Wet Steam" mean to you?
😂I think you might have changed the question there! Sorry I forgot to vote, I would have selected 4, but with the caveat that not all wet steam is the same. The chart shows the power of steam heat is in the latent heat portion of the steam and you’re right that it’s hard to measure. But very wet steam carries a fraction of the heat transfer capability of ‘dry’ steam.
Matt_67
Re: What does "Wet Steam" mean to you?
It is very important that we use proper terminology when talking about technical issues. I have to look into my notes to verify this. When I got into steam heating 3 years ago I had a presentation that I would give to land lords and property managers. I wrote "wet steam is a condition in which 2% or more of the steam contains water droplets". Water is weighs much more than steams so I assume it is by volume. So no one gets confused, Steam is gas just like air, water droplets can float in air but will eventually come down due to gravity as with aerosol hair spray or an atomizer in an oil burner. These droplets can be small but they are not steam and do not have the same heat content as steam.
Re: What does "Wet Steam" mean to you?
By loud I mean hammering. I wouldn't know if my system's whooshing more than others.
Re: Water leak problems installing cast iron baseboard
Burnham/US Boiler Rep always had nipple lube for us to purchase, still have cans around probably. We always cleaned the ports and nipples and wiped out, then lubed lightly the port & nipples. Assembled and pressed, always paid close attention to even pull together. We did have a few doa sections from factory over the years but hundreds of feet of baseray usually went ok. Dry press together not good. Also usually little rust in the ports from sitting around. Hope goes better for you.
Re: Water leak problems installing cast iron baseboard
😲😲😲
I'd call Burnham. That's a serious QC issue.
Re: Water leak problems installing cast iron baseboard
I'd use RTV like @Ironman suggested if it is leaking.
mattmia2