steam heat vacuum designs

ws

can anyone explain the proper opoeration for this design, ranging from the vac. pumps, condensate pumps and maybe some pics., i overheard a conversation about one and never heard of it

Unknown

one of the building

One of the building that I've been working on have a Hoffamn vaccum/cond pump system. What a world of differnce with the system working properly. You can go on to ITT/Hoffman internet to get information as well get Dan's book, " the Lost Art of Steam Heat" as there's a whole chapter about the system.

Jamie Hall

There isn't just one

steam heat "vacuum" system.  You really should get Dan's book, The Lost Art of Steam Heating, which reviews most of the widely varied designs.  Some were basically two pipe systems with a vacuum assist; some were very low pressure (vapour) systems which, in their original form, often generated a significant vacuum (sometimes remarkably deep) during operation.  Some had pumps; some had ejectors; some had no moving parts at all except traps -- some didn't even have traps.  Some were gravity return, a few had condensate return pumps... some had some really remarkable contraptions to get the condensate back.



Do get the book!