Correct nozzle for oversize steam boiler

Keith_8

At today's oil prices the ROI could be under 4 years. That's a no brainer.

Steve, I know we have coverered some of this ground before but please refresh my memory.

Size of the building?

Boiler used for domestic hot water production?

Type of steam system?

What steam pressure are you maintaining?

Is the system well vented?

Water clean and stable in the sight glass when the burner is running?

If I remember correctly didn't we come to the conclusion you were under fired?

Sounds like a tremendous amount of oil for a small building. Do you trust the ability of the oil company techs to evaluate your system and advise you on fuel savings measures?

Keith

Steve Garson_5

Correct nozzle for oversized steam boiler

I have a Smith 19 6-section boiler, whose specs are for a 6.5 gph nozzle. (Carlin 301 burner)

The boiler is oversized by three sections, meaning a 3-section would be the right size, with a specified firing rate of 2.6 gph.

My oil company has been putting 2.5 gph nozzles in the Carlin 301 burner with higher pressure for 3 gph. To me, that seems like using a candle to boil a tea pot, but I am not a pro, which is why I need advice.

We burned 6500 gallons last season, and I want to fire at the best rate, in light of having an oversized boiler.

I know it would be worth it to replace the boiler, but spending $28,000 to replace a nine year old boiler is hard to stomach.

Thanks for the help and advice.

steve_29

I concur with you...

Sounds like your oil company is increasing their volume at your expense.

It maybe worth it to replace the boiler, the savings in fuel would probably pay for the new system in a few years.

Steve Garson_5

Keith:

Thanks for your interest:
1. Size of the building: 8000 square feet. Lots of glass. No insulation. High Ceilings. This is a pseudo public facility, built in 1915 and we are budgeting for insulation next year.

2. Boiler used for steam heat only.

3. Type of steam system: One pipe steam.

4. What steam pressure are you maintaining: .5psi or the lowest that the pressuretrol allows.

5. Is the system well vented. It is today. Prior to January 2008, it had absoluteley no main vents!

6. Water clean and stable in the sight glass when the burner is running: yes.

7. If I remember correctly didn't we come to the conclusion you were under fired: I think most of our previous threads all related to replacing the boiler, but we can't afford that right now. With the lack of insulation, my feeling is that that should be the first investment. Imagine a building this size with absolutely no roof/ceiling insulation.

Sounds like a tremendous amount of oil for a small building. Do you trust the ability of the oil company techs to evaluate your system and advise you on fuel savings measures? Honestly, I do not. I trust the pros on this web site far more! But the oil company has handled the system for ten years and I would rather direct them than fire them. Nice guys, good service, but they're in the business of keeping the burner burning their oil:-)

tim smith

Regarding firing rate etc

Has someone done a good combustion analysis. Do you have gas available. You could probably remove a couple sections and get a new flue collector box? Not too expensive but I think you could just work w/ adjustments. I would suspect you could figure a good balance of underfiring and combustion efficiency. Contact Smith support about minimum firing rate on your boiler. My guess is you can get there w/ firing adjustments. Tim

Steve Garson_2

Surprisingly, the engineer at Smith Boilers told me the lower the firing rate, the more efficient the boiler. He said the present rate is fine. But I question his judgment.

I would love to remove two sections, but I was told with the labor involved, I should get a new boiler. Since it is only 9 years old, that is hard to go along with. The people at Smith Boiler said reducing the boiler size just requires new seals and the skin. They suggested replacing all the seals while we are at it, but no one wants to do this kind of work.

There is gas in the building. I am checking on the cost of a chimney liner, which would be required.

Steve

upsellovoto

Any additional comments on nozzle size? The boiler tech is coming tomorrow to finish up.

Jim Davis

Yes, put the right size nozzle in it and start saving money. It does take a skilled tech to set it up right. If he don't have an electronic analyzer find someone who is from this century.