One Pipe Steam and Modular Boilers

OLAEngineer

Doing a boiler replacement project.  Existing system is one pipe with two full capacity boilers operating lead/lag.  Considering replacement options...one of which is using a modular boiler system.  Will there be an issue with water volume in modular boilers and the one pipe steam system?

nicholas bonham-carter

Boiler volume

What is the edr of the system?

Generally, the water volume of any boiler is adequate to supply steam for it's rated edr. Where it appears not to be , there is usually some other cause, such as slow returns, or over-pressure causing water to stack up in the returns, thus reducing the effective boiler water volume. A few ounces of pressure are capable of heating most buildings.

For fuel economy, you could always use a modulating burner, controlled by pressure. From 0 psi to 6 ounces, the burner would fire on high, then modulate down to 75%.--nbc

jumper

why are there redundant boilers ?

They were used with oil burners for reliability. Are there situations where gas burners cannot be repaired the same day ? Isolated community ?