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condensing boiler for steam?

Charles_7
Charles_7 Member Posts: 2
in THE MAIN WALL
Looking forward to your seminar on Apr. 11!!! +++ But I need some advice sooner-- Did the "dead men" ever think "green"??

customer has 1860's house well restored --- therefore the one-pipe steam radiators stay!! but she is really adament about being as "green" as she can.... 20 yr WM oil fired unit needs replacement and conversion to NG is a given...

I posted another question already and got some answers -- but it looks like its best to put only one question per posting....

---- Can we go to a 93% or more effeciency condensing boiler for this one pipe steam system and therefore also avoid a chimney rebuild???? and if so --- thoughts as to which manufacturer???

Charles

Comments

  • Will_5
    Will_5 Member Posts: 85
    Not much Green in Steam

    You won't find anything in a residential boiler that is condensing steam, all of the gas steam units dance around 82%. I know Burnham makes a powervented unit that would get you around the chimney issue but it is 82%. It looks like the most efficient thing out there in steam right now is the Megasteam 3-pass oil boiler by Burnham, it runs 86%. Hope this helps.
  • Steamhead (in transit)
    Steamhead (in transit) Member Posts: 6,688
    I'll second the Mega-Steam

    that's a heck of a boiler. They don't offer it in gas (YET- note to Burnham: Offer this boiler with a power gas burner and it will SELL, SELL, SELL), but it is noticeably more efficient than any residential gas steamer out there now. So for now, oil is the "green" way to go on steam, with the Burnham Mega-Steam.

    Plus, staying with oil will keep her out of the clutches of an unregulated gas monopoly.

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  • Mike T., Swampeast MO
    Mike T., Swampeast MO Member Posts: 6,928


    "Green" is a relative thing...

    The Dead Men CERTAINLY considered fuel efficiency in their system designs, but just like today the efficiency really begins at the boiler. Again just like us they had to use the boilers available to them...

    You won't find a condensing steam boiler for residential use. Such is technically possible if such boiler can modulate its output with the entire system below atmospheric pressure (e.g. some degree of vacuum), but again, you won't find anything residentially unless you go back 100 years or so to the, dare I say "true" vapor using solid-fuel boilers via systems that could naturally produce a vacuum in reverse relation to load on the system.

    See...the Dead Men really were "green" in their systems...

    ----------------------------------------------

    All that said, residential steam boiler technology has been considered mature for decades with any quality boiler more or less equal with regards to efficiency.

    The Burnham "Mega Steam" [looks] like it might be the exception. Perhaps even efficient enough that a chimney rebuild/lining is an utter requirement... Contact Burnham!

    Remember--you asked for efficiency in a steam boiler. Increase the efficiency significantly and an old brick flue will have problems.
  • Cunner_2
    Cunner_2 Member Posts: 47
    I'm with Mike

    If you go with the Megasteam you will more than likely have to use a chimney liner to run it at it's peak efficiency. There are a few posts on the wall that have said they are seeing 330-350 degree gross stack temps. that's certainly something that will do a number on the chimney.
  • Ken_40
    Ken_40 Member Posts: 1,320
    There are commercial sized

    "Green" steamers out there, but none that would qualify in the residential arena, unfortunately.
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,518
    I'm with Steamhead

    I want to see it with a gas Gun. Also, talk her in to staying with oil. Mad Dog

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  • Patrick Linhardt, \"Linhardt's Field Guide to Ste
    Patrick Linhardt, \"Linhardt's Field Guide to Ste Member Posts: 152
    green system

    Hi Charles,

    The boiler isn't the only thing that affects efficiency, ie "green"ness. Make sure the one pipe system is up to the task. Check the usual suspects and correct all problems with the boiler install.

    Insulation on all supply pipes, including the near boiler piping

    Properly sized and operating main vent(s)

    Thermostatically controlled air vents for the rads

    Clean pipe for the wet return

    Proper pitch in the mains and runouts, radiators too

    Oil free boiler water for dry steam and steady waterline

    Drop header to further dry the steam since dry steam heats more efficiently than wet steam

    Best regards, Pat
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