Hurst steam boilers+pneumatics

Smith19

I have one question: It's normal for a commercial steam boiler to have a pneumatic relay on the side to fire the burner (When a pneumatic control system is used) But every time the unit fires, there is a deafening release of air from the relay. We think the backlash involved is destroying the delicate the electrical contacts inside. This has happened at least 10 times this season so far, and is getting costly. (The relay has been replaced once, and it's insides replaced at least 5 times) It's an odd problem, any ideas?







Thanks in advance, the other pneumatic control air threads were of no help.

nicholas bonham-carter

Maker's name?

What make and model would this be?--NBC

Dave in QCA

Pneumatic Pressure?

I see that you have a new compressor for the pneumatic system.  The air line should go to a pressure reducing and filture and dryer equipment.  It looks like I can see that equipment on the wall in the background, in fact it looks like there might even be 3 pressure reducing stations. 



So, the big question, what is the air pressure once it is in the pneumatic system.  It should be 20 psi. --  No more, no less.

RJ_4

pneumatics

Most all old pneumatic systems failed to heat, when air press. was lost bldg would go to full heat. It is probably normal for the boiler relay to bleed off on a call for heat,  The 3 way valves on the wall are probably for day night changover.  day 15 psig,  night 18-25 psig.  or summer winter changeover,  summer 15 psig, winter 18-25 psig. check bldg thermostats to you which system you have. Are the tanks on the wall connected to the pneumatics ?  Some of the old systems had air compressors with little air storage so external tanks were used.

Smith19

Pneumatics

As you can see from the image, the Burners are Gordon Piatt model R's from 1995. I think they have special GOPEG relays on them. As for the actual pneumatic set up, It has a few pressure reducing valves. These blow off periodically as they should. As for the four actuators you see lined up, those are a redundant 1952 set up to control air. They were cut off after the new compressor was put in and weep badly, so I'm guessing the PSI falls below 20. Are GOPEG relays poorly designed? Of course we can't really know as I think that's a part that is no longer in stock due to GOPEG's closure.





Cheers

Smith19

Pneumatics cont.

NBC, the compressor is quincy and like I said the burners are GOPEG R's and the boilers are Hurst LPW's.



There is also a refrigerant dryer in between the compressor pumps as you can see, but our climate here is too dry for it to blow off periodically.

RJ_4

pneumatics

just as the phrase dead men of steam we can use dead men of pneumatics, the men who are good on old pneumatics are slowly disappearing  I would look at it for you, I live in colorado. i am a retired Steamfitter.