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Old steam systems using condensate as HW

Luke_5
Luke_5 Member Posts: 7
in Strictly Steam
<span style="font-size:12pt">I have a 2 story old townhouse with steam piping-2 pipe system. The radiators are all cast iron hot water type. The existing steam riser is basically a pipe within a pipe. Through the inside pipe, steam is flowing and through the outer pipe condensate. The radiators are hot water type and connected to the outer pipe to get condensate. I would like to learn more about this system, does anybody knows how it works or where can I get more info about it.</span>

<span style="font-size:12pt">Thank you</span>

Comments

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,397
    That's a new one on me

    how about some pics? 
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Gordo
    Gordo Member Posts: 857
    Are Your Valves and Traps

    Webster?  This may be a Webster Innter-Tube (sic) Heating Riser (Patented).
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    "Reducing our country's energy consumption, one system at a time"
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Baltimore, MD (USA) and consulting anywhere.
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/all-steamed-up-inc
  • Luke_5
    Luke_5 Member Posts: 7
    Some pictures and more details

    Not all the pipes are exposed but the steam distribution appears to be like this. One dedicated steam riser in the back of tho house is going up into the attic. In the attic is branching off into two riser, one located in front of the house and the second in the back. All front radiators are connected to the front riser and same for the rear ones.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,397
    Sure it's not

    a down-feed hot-water system? 
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Dave in QCA
    Dave in QCA Member Posts: 1,788
    Pipe "within" a pipe??

    What observations have you made that lead you to believe there is a pipe within another pipe? 
    Dave in Quad Cities, America
    Weil-McLain 680 with Riello 2-stage burner, December 2012. Firing rate=375MBH Low, 690MBH Hi.
    System = Early Dunham 2-pipe Vacuo-Vapor (inlet and outlet both at bottom of radiators) Traps are Dunham #2 rebuilt w. Barnes-Jones Cage Units, Dunham-Bush 1E, Mepco 1E, and Armstrong TS-2. All valves haveTunstall orifices sized at 8 oz.
    Current connected load EDR= 1,259 sq ft, Original system EDR = 2,100 sq ft Vaporstat, 13 oz cutout, 4 oz cutin - Temp. control Tekmar 279.
    http://grandviewdavenport.com
  • Luke_5
    Luke_5 Member Posts: 7
    It's not a HW system

    The entire system is steam. The townhouse gets steam from a central plant. One or 2 radiators have been replaced by the owner with steam radiators (see attached picture). However they did not connect the new radiators to the risers I was explaining before. They ran direct piping from the basement steam lines and the addition/replacement happened on the 1st floor only.

    This system, as old as it is, installed by the dead men as Dan Holohan is saying, is very challenging and facinating. That is why I am asking if anyone have seen something like this before. I will post more information as soon as I will get more. I like the steam systems and always run into things I've never seen before...
  • Luke_5
    Luke_5 Member Posts: 7
    I saw it

    One radiator was disconnected from the riser and I saw the open hole in the riser.
  • Dave in QCA
    Dave in QCA Member Posts: 1,788
    Interesting

    Very interesting!   I look forward to more pictures and information.
    Dave in Quad Cities, America
    Weil-McLain 680 with Riello 2-stage burner, December 2012. Firing rate=375MBH Low, 690MBH Hi.
    System = Early Dunham 2-pipe Vacuo-Vapor (inlet and outlet both at bottom of radiators) Traps are Dunham #2 rebuilt w. Barnes-Jones Cage Units, Dunham-Bush 1E, Mepco 1E, and Armstrong TS-2. All valves haveTunstall orifices sized at 8 oz.
    Current connected load EDR= 1,259 sq ft, Original system EDR = 2,100 sq ft Vaporstat, 13 oz cutout, 4 oz cutin - Temp. control Tekmar 279.
    http://grandviewdavenport.com
  • haaljo
    haaljo Member Posts: 112
    Webster system as noted by Gordo link:

    www.heatinghelp.com/files/articles/1337/320.pdf
  • Luke_5
    Luke_5 Member Posts: 7
    Thank you Haaljo

    The link and info is very good. I believe this is what I have found. I will also come with more details once i have the chance to go back and see the site again.

    Thank you for all your help. 
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,397
    edited January 2011
    I see the trap on that radiator

    but the other ones don't appear to have traps on them. Maybe the orifice in the riser took care of that?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
This discussion has been closed.

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