steam radiator / no vents

craft

I need to move 2 steam radiators, (one pipe system) for a remodel. The entire house has traditional cast iron radiators. Where the vents should be; they are piped in black iron pipe back to the boiler.

Can I simply disconnect, and cap off these (vent/returns ?)  and install a new vent on each of the radiators being moved?

Steamhead

Nope

this is a Paul or similar system. If you do that you will mess up the system's balance. 

craft

Solution/ more info

I've never heard of a "paul" system, but I did pull some info up on Google.

So, is this a vacuum system? I would have to think , NO. (there is nothing visual, mechanically, in the system to pull a vacuum, and maintain one)



If it is, a vacuum, how is it developing a vacuum? The customer claims to have not done any maintenance for a year or 2. Therefore, it should have lost it's vacuum?



Can you, or someone expand, explain more on this type of system?



Its a 50 to 75 year old 1500 sq ft. 2 story house. Boiler replaced about 5 - 8 years ago.

Customer says house heats fine. (except 1 radiator, I think its a bad radiator valve)

Re-modeler just wants 2 radiators moved, What would be recommended?

It looks like there is special angle valve fittings, where can these be purchased?



Jump to another thought: Would it make more sense to eliminate this "return" and get the system closer to a more traditional 1 pipe system, and add radiator steam vents at each radiator?

nicholas bonham-carter

Paul system

Post some pictures here of the radiators, and boiler piping, so we can see what this is.

Do a search here for Paul system, or get the lost art of steam heating from the store here.--NBC

craft

Paul steam system

Heres the system.

craft

Paul system

More Pic's

moneypitfeeder

Eddy system

Hello, I really tried to upload a pdf of your system, but couldn't. If you message me directly maybe I can email it to you, or if you google eddy and steam in the "book" tab of google check out the 1909 edition of Engineering Review. It seems to have a full overview of your system.

Steamhead

Definitely

do not try to change those radiators to one-pipe. Put them back the way they are, maintaining proper size and pitch on the air lines as well as the steam lines, and you shouldn't have a problem.

craft

Paul system

Do these valves (Paul valves) need adjustment?

if we move 2 radiators, ( thats the reason I'm looking for info) can we use copper piping, below the floor?

also have another radiator, not getting any heat/steam past the radiator valve? (main supply valve) bad valve, plugged Paul vent, Radiator out of balance?

SWEI

Eddy system

P.49 of the 805 page PDF http://books.google.com/books?id=g9oxAQAAMAAJ covering all of 1909.  My edited version won't upload for some reason.  If you have a bunch of extra time on your hands, 1909 looks like a compelling diversion.



Kudos to Google for enabling public access to public domain material.