Water hammer in gravity return

Dano_21

I'm experiencing water hammer in the gravity return after my boiler starts making steam. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this? Could it be a clogged return?

The water in the gauge glass is surging rather violently at this point, so could the water be dirty?

nicholas bonham-carter

return hammering

if the waterline is surging in the boiler, i would do a long skimming  [see "the lost art of steam heating", available here,for details].

other causes could include the pressure set too high, causing the returns to stack with water up  into the dry return, causing a collision of water and steam. get a good low-pressure gauge [gaugestore.com, 0-3 psi], mounted on the same pigtail as the 0-30 psi gauge, which must remain.--nbc

Dano_21

skimming

Thanks

I've skimmed the boiler, but perhaps need to do it more.

My pressuretrol is set to .5. . ..but I will check into that low pressure gauge to get a more accurate reading.

I do have the lost art of steam heating, great book.

Unknown

Skimming

I 've posted this elsewhere but thought it might be of help to you also- There is a really good article in the June issue of Oilheating on Page 20 by tech/training manager of Weil McLain on skimming steam boilers.



 [url=http://www.oilheating.com/index.mv?screen=previousissues]http://www.oilheating.com/index.mv?screen=previousissues



. You might also want to take a look at Rhomar Water Management



[url=http://www.rhomarwater.com/products/residential-steam-system/ ]http://www.rhomarwater.com/products/residential-steam-system/  While I generally try to stay away from using an additive,  I've used their product and it worked very well.

I've had to do sveral skimming to get ny boiler settled down in the past.  How's your close nipple where it joins the Hartford Loop?

- Rod