near boiler piping

paul_81

Steam boiler replacement: old header is 37.5" on center, welded steel, risers come out of the sides of the boiler.  The new boiler has 36" on center risers from top of boiler.  Is it OK to build swing joints in the new risers with 3" black iron 90's to pick up the 1.5" spread?

nicholas bonham-carter

adapting a welded steel header

would a drop header configuration work here? it would certainly put a few more joints for stress relief into the layout.

the risers could be tall enough to make the steam drier too.--nbc 

Steamhead

I think a drop header is the only way to go

if you have two or more risers from the boiler to the header.



For those who are not familiar with drop headers, go here:



http://www.heatinghelp.com/files/articles/1348/127.pdf



Paul, can you take some pics of that job and post them here?

paul_81

drop header configuration?

Sorry, no pics - hopefully the diagram will help...From what I have read here at HH, the main should not come off the header in the center (between risers) anyway.  What would we do with the unused side of the header, run to condensate line?

Rod

Boiler Piping Sketch

Hi Paul-

    Hi- I drew up a small sketch with arrows and lettering indicating the different parts as I thought this might help referencing the following comments and those of others.



LETTERS

A  -  is the riser (s) coming out of the boiler to the header. Generally you should follow the sizing  that the boiler manufacturer’s instructions recommend.



B  - is the header pipe.  Follow the sizing that the manufacturer recommends.



C - is the equalizer.  Follow the sizing that the manufacturer recommends. Dan suggests that these should be a minimum 1 ½ inches or greater.



D - is the riser from the dropheader to the old manifold. Follow the sizing that the manufacturer recommends. “Steamhead” or another of the pros may have a suggestion on this.



E - is the connection of the D to the manifold. I can see where this might be a problem if it collects water. One of the pros may have a suggestion on this. Ideally you would have a top entry to the manifold like to a dropheader so that water would drain away and not collect.



F - is the distance from the boiler waterline to the top of the risers coming from the boiler to the header. Follow the distance  that the manufacturer recommends in the installation manual. This distance is a “minimum” so it isn’t a bad idea to add a bit more height if you have room.



G - is a drip line from the welded manifold to the Wet Return. It must join the return well below the boiler’s water line.



As you mentioned the old riser to the mains coming off between the risers from the boiler is a big “no-no”.  The first thing that hits me is that it might be better to just scrap the old manifold and run new risers from the new dropheader to the steam mains though without a picture we have no idea how practical that would be.

 

Disclaimer- I’m a homeowner and just an amateur at this so hopefully the experienced pros, like Steamhead, will be able to give you some good advice on the piping.

- Rod