What is it?

Fred Harwood_2

The bottom line tee into the return between two swings?

Mike2

What is it?

Can anyone tell me what this tank is for, and what is inside. This is on a 2 pipe gravity return steam system. The boiler is leaking and needs to be changed out. I planned on respecting my existing water lines but would like any info on what this gizmo does. The steam supply feeds the top of the tank through a valve and the flange. The bottom of the tank returns to the return of the boiler. Coming off the top of the tank is a 1/2" pipe that ties into a vent on the dry return. Thanks for any help.

nicholas bonham-carter

reservoir tank

look at this thread below, and see if it corresponds to your boiler.
i am about to put one on my boiler to make up for temporary shortages of condensate which is slow to return.
i don't believe it should be vented to atmosphere as it needs to "feel" the pressure of the boiler on top of the water inside.



http://forums.invision.net/Thread.cfm?CFApp=2&&Message_ID=420483&_#Message420483


way cool pictures, and there may be a good reason to keep it working especialy if you have long runs, or a mis-sized boiler.it may also incorporate some sort of false waterline[see dan's book available here] --nbc

Tekkie

I know what is inside!

Hob goblins!

Mike2

I can't remember to be honest. Unfortunately I didn't draw much of the wet return in my sketch and I didn't get a picture of it. This unit does have swing checks on the return though and currently no hartford loop.

DanHolohan

Mike,

it's a boiler-return trap. It puts the water back into the boiler when the boiler pressure goes above a certain point. If it's working, just leave it in place.

Mike2

Thanks Dan. I thought it might have been, the tank just didn't quite look like I expected it to.

DanHolohan

They came in

so many shapes and sizes. Endlessly fascinating to me.