Condensate tank - steel ok or must we get cast iron?

MikeyB

Go with the Cast Iron, we have a Hoffman condensate receiver that has been in operation for over 50 years, Duplex pumps as Brad mentioned is a must

bill_105

Condensate tank - steel ok or must we get cast iron?

so we are replacing a 10 gallon condensate pump/tank in our building.

the old one was cast iron. the new one may be steel to save on costs and the weight of installing it.

i know that steel won't last as long as cast iron.. but given the lifespan of these other parts and how they have failed us now, i'm thinking if the steel lasts 10-15 years that may be fine amount of time when we have to replace the whole aparatus again.

BUT,
other than overall lifespan, are there other reasons to prefer cast iron and make it worth the trouble and expense?

will the steel rust sooner and send rust particles into the boiler? anything else i should consider?

thanks in advance for the advice as always!

TJ_5

condensagte tanks

We use tanks on link. they are stainless steel and the pump motor and seals are way out of the way. somewhat costlybut what isn't.http://boilersupplies.thomasnet.com/viewitems/advantage-series/advantage-series-condensate-pumps?&forward=1

Brad White_203

I like TJ's point

re: Stainless Steel. I have finished a design job at MIT where they already had stainless steel boiler feed units and a vacuum unit. Evaluating the condition for re-use was not in the scope but then, not much of a concern either.

Now, in your case, if not stainless, I would go with cast iron. Pumps, controls, floats, etc. are all replaceable. The receiver should last for years.

Steel, in an open system, is asking for trouble especially if your water treatment and make-up levels are not yet in control.

Imagine all the components holding up but the tank itself leaks... Now what do you do? Sure, you can weld a patch but do you know to what? How thin the walls are?

Shipco, Skidmore, ITT Hoffman, Flotronics, are all good names. I would get a duplex pump set because you are so dependent on it. Simplex is fine too but buy a spare pump for fast replacement.

It may cost a bit more but you pay that once and add value. One more thing, go for the option of an inlet basket strainer if offered or put one in yourself, but more importantly and especially if you go to using duplex pumps, get the pump suction isolation valves so that you can replace one of the pumps at a time.

bill_105

Thank you guys for your advice.

Based on the advice we are now going to get cast iron instead of steel that we were originally going to end up with.

TJ_5

CI Tanks

The CI tanks are fine and they last forever, but the main problem with them is the pump mechanical seal is always in water, very hot water at that and sometimes even with the best trap maintenance it can be hit with a blast of steam and then bye bye seal. We do use both but the ease of repair with the SS tanks and they stay on line when one pump is out for repair. Just my opinion

oil-2-4-6-gas

get a duplex tank --order a blank-off plate so when 1 pump needs to be worked on--or 1 can be made of 5/8 plywood cut to size drill the bolt holes and a sheet of red rubber inside -have it pulled out blank off that opening // most tanks will have a SQ D 9038 mechanical alternating switch --when 1 pump is pulled wire the switch to run the existing pump in both positions -----the only time there is a problem is when/if it goes underwater and both pumps need to be fixed at 1 time ///////