condensate tank

[Deleted User]

i've never read nor heard of it, but it doesn't sound very reliable/controlable in the manner of the steady flow rate of a pump

nicholas bonham-carter

condensate tank

happy new year!! thanks to noel's advice i now have removed the improper "menora" arrangement of stepping down dry returns on my peerless 211-a 1050000 btu one pipe system and installed straight down piping on all 6 returns. the problem was that, as the boiler pressure forced the return water level up, these horizontal steps would hold lots of water.
i now have the problem in cold weather of slow returning condensate, even though it all comes back in 20 minutes or so,the boiler runs low for that period of time.
as i do not have a condensate pump i wonder if i could use air pressure on a tank in the returns to force water out of the tank when called for by the lwco therefore making more water available to the boiler when needed.when the thermostat is satisfied some sort of valve could open and release the air pressure allowing water back in the tank.
i have been planning to put this boiler on a backup battery ups system as electricity in our innercity area has been subject to interruptions lately for a couple of hours or more.the air compressor i found is less than 2 amps draw.all the pumps i have seen are more power hungry than that and the tank is already in my return--a 5 in manifold that had been the base of the "menora" any thoughts?? --nicholas