Steam To Hot Water

Tom A

I have asked for information books on how to convert steam system to Hot water ins & outs and recieved replys on to keep the old system, however this does not seem to be a option, because the job intails removal of a steamline that feed varios buildings and now each building has to have its owns heating supply witch also requires no stanard stack only side wall vent which I can only see as the Ultra Weil Mclain Boiler which is Hot water. Any good Text books on properly piping a 2 pipe system from the Mech.room would be appricated. Tom

TGO_54

Conversion

If conversion to hot water is the only option and it seems like it is, you would be better off re-piping the supplys and returns entirely. The Steam pipes, fittings, and valves that did not leak on less than 2PSI may leak with the new pressure of 12PSI+ and if not on the inital start up in the months and years to come. Step one would be to check the radiators and make sure they are suitable for hot water use. Then do a heat loss on the building, and be certian that the radiators will still heat the building at their reduced output (hot water gives less BTUH than steam). This heat loss will give you a start on the piping system size and pump sizing. You will have to determine the best piping design based on the buildings. You may also want to consider adding TRV's to each radiator while re-fitting them. Dan's Book Pumping away would be a good place to start, it has a description od the different methods and the pluses and minuses of each.

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TGO_54

Conversion

If conversion to hot water is the only option and it seems like it is, you would be better off re-piping the supplys and returns entirely. The Steam pipes, fittings, and valves that did not leak on less than 2PSI may leak with the new pressure of 12PSI+ and if not on the inital start up in the months and years to come. I know this first hand.

Step one would be to check the radiators and make sure they are suitable for hot water use. Are the sections connected at the top and bottom? Is there a tapping for a bleeder at the top? Are they in good condition especially at the fittings? Will you need any right left nipples for the conversion?

Then do a heat loss on the building, and be certian that the radiators will still heat the building at their reduced output (hot water gives less BTUH than steam). Most of the time the building has been tightened up since the original syatem was installed, but you have to check this, the system will be "YOURS" if it dosen't heat correctly all the time.

This heat loss will give you a start on the piping system size and pump sizing. You will have to determine the best piping design based on the buildings. You may also want to consider adding TRV's to each radiator while re-fitting them.

Dan's Book Pumping away would be a good place to start, it has a description of the different methods and the pluses and minuses of each.

It sounds like a great project and with proper design and workmanship you can keep the radiators and add the newest boiler and contols for a state of the art system.

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Steamhead (in transit)

You haven't looked hard enough

the Burnham Independence PV is a gas-fired steam boiler that can be vented out of a sidewall. I'm sure there are others but that's the first one that comes to mind. You could also use a power-venter with a standard boiler. Keep in mind that sidewall venting is subject to restrictions based on local Codes and manufacturer's specs. It's not just a simple matter of sticking the vent thru the wall wherever it's convenient.

It would be much simpler and less costly to NOT try to convert the steam systems in the buildings to hot water. Also much less risky. That's why we answered you the way we did. Go here for more:

http://www.heatinghelp.com/newsletter.cfm?Id=22

The only exception would be if the steam were brought into the buildings and run thru heat exchangers that heated water to heat the buildings. Then you'd just remove the heat exchangers and pipe boilers in.

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