Iron Fireman Steam System

AlPro

I have an Iron Fireman steam system which consists of 3/4" copper baseboard being fed by a 3/8" copper supply line and returning via a 1/4" copper line to a 1" manifold in the basement.  The boiler is operating at 8 psig.  Where can I find some design information on how the system was intended to operate?

ttekushan_3

SelecTemp

Look in the library under Unusual Systems, Iron Fireman SelecTemp. There's a brochure there, but they show the unique steam power driven unit heaters. Tremendous output with individual control. Most of these units began to leak and were replaced with fan unit heaters, convectors or, in your case, fin tube. In some cases, contractors installed convectors from the beginning.



The supply lines don't restrict the flow of steam as you would think it would since the steam velocity was able to run a small steam turbine that ran the blower. You MUST have good steam traps if there is no SelecTemp unit heater involved. BTW, those 3/8" and 1/4" runouts are measured OD since it is soft refrigeration copper!I really like those systems.



Gerry Gill in Cleveland and I are familiar with these systems. What are your questions?



Are you in the Cleveland area?



-Terry

nicholas bonham-carter

iron fireman

should the pressure really be so high?--nbc

ttekushan_3

Yes, sort of.

Depending on radiation and main sizing you should be able to go somewhat lower. Gerry Gill invited me recently to go on a SelecTemp field trip. That boiler was running at 6 lbs and heat delivery was outstanding.



Gerry made an interesting observation about this type of steam system- with the small piping and the convectors/fin tubes with very little air content and very little mass: the typical pick up factor on boiler sizing is not necessary at all. Size the boiler by output, not square feet EDR.



Its quite stunning to look at that tiny copper piping feeding a bunch of 18,000 btu fan coil units and belting out the heat. This is one steam system that's fantastic at recovering from deep temperature setbacks!



-Terry



PS I have an idea that this type of system is what the future of heating really needs- occupancy based heating with outrageously fast room temperature recovery times. It would be easy and cheap as dirt to install, too. Remember- you read it here first!

gerry gill

yes,

that is normal pressure on a steam mini tube (iron fireman) system.

gerry gill

i bet that a steam mini tube system

can blow away the efficiency of any forced air system. Terry, i'll be putting one of these into my house soon..you'll have to come over and play..i was ordering Dunham traps for it today as a matter of fact..

Steamhead

Can I

come and play too?



Pleeeeeeeeez?

gerry gill

of course..

but only if the wife allows

ttekushan_3

Howwwww sooooooon?

with proper permissions of course.



I designed a variant that does away with the steam traps and the boiler feed pump. Just two electrovalves, two temp sensors and a recovery tank. ODR modulates pressure. I should share the drawing. Optional are the occupancy sensing room thermostats to run unoccupied areas at a setback until someone walks in. Having seen how a classroom with steam convectors can gain several degrees in a few minutes, I think this is one way of "going green with steam." If we evaluated heating by "occupancy-hours/square foot" or something like that, I think our modern SelecTemps would kick green butt. In a manner of speaking.



-Terry

gerry gill

this season sometime,

sounds interesting, would love to see the drawings!

gerry gill

ALPro- we kind of hijacked your thread,

so if you need any specific questions answered just ask away or email us.