Balancing

crash2009

I guess now is the time to get it done.  The near boiler piping has been re-done.  The mains have been insulated.  The boiler water is finally clean.  I have sketched the layout as I perceive it, but I don't think its entirely accurate.  The basement and the rest of the house for that matter are completely finished with drywall etc.  Some of the radiators, are exactly where I have drawn them on the plan and others are just drawn in because they have to hook up somewhere.  I am thinking that if I close one of the supplys and run the boiler I will at least know which main they are connected to, albeit not nescesarily where they are in relation to the beginning or the end of the main.  I think that will get me "close enough"



Are their any cautions that I should be aware of prior to closing one of the king valves?  Is it nescesary to know, prior to an attempt to balance, which side each particular peice of radiation is connected to.  I gave the tenants notice so I can find out, at least, what main they are on.  added EDR and AIR CONTENT. 1pm tomorrow.  Thanks

Rod

Balancing

Hi- I think it helps to have an basic idea of where the radiators are located in relationship to each other especially when they share the same lateral pipe off a steam main. I would make a copy of your diagram and put the individual EDR numbers in each of your radiator "boxes" per Gerry Gill's Balancing Book.  I found that having the numbers on the sheet helps you to visualize the steam demands more easily.

Closing a king valve will only have the affect of building steam pressure faster resulting in having your pressure controller shut down the boiler.

I imagine you already have it, but if you don't, get Gerry Gill's book on Balancing Steam Systems.  He discusses several methods of how to approaching balancing. I learn something new every time I read it.

- Rod

crash2009

any Gorton Fans out there?

Any suggestions on which Gorton goes where. 

jpf321

grab a copy...

grab a copy of my excel worksheet posted in my signature. that should help you ...



the data you need:

EDR of rad

size of rad supply

length of rad supply

rad type (column, tube, convector, radiant, baseboard, etc.)

size of mains

length of mains

desired time to theoretically vent



everything is based Gills balancing download booklet (you should have this as well, available in the Shop here) and premised on cubic feet of air to expel and the desired rate of explusion. geography of the components is ignored (and it should be).



if you have any ?'s contact me directly.

crash2009

Thanks

That's what I was looking for.  I saw it before somewhere, but I couldn't remember where I saw it.  You built that worksheet?  Nice job.  Talk to ya later.