I'm changing my condinsate tank

ottawamerc

Hi guys I'm installing a new condinsate tank going from a 15 Gal to a 50 Gal due to the new boiler requirements. I have a question on the condinsate lines though, the new tanks return tapping is 34.5" high and the existing tank is about 8" high above the floor. There are 4 steam traps that are 1.25" pipe and they are at 5.5' and 6' above the floor. Do you think the increased rise into the tank will cause any issues due to higher head pressure?

Steamhead

Why are you using a condensate tank in the first place? Was the system gravity-return when it was installed?

In many cases, condensate tanks and pumped return to the boiler are not needed. The Dead Men designed their steam systems so gravity would return the water, so why complicate things?

ottawamerc

BUMP!!!

New ones going in tomorrow still wondering if there is any possible issues I could be facing?

SWEI

Post more info on the original (photos?) and proposed replacement boilers and piping and you should get some more eyes on the situation.

ottawamerc

OK so I proceeded with the installation and as I suspected there was some changes to the flow of the condensate thru the traps as I suspected but they are working well still. I will take a pic soon and show the changes.

Dave in QCA

I agree with Steamhead, you'd be better off without a condensate tank, but sounds like you're replacing one that was already put in. However, you say you're going from a 15 gallon to a 50 gallon tank. I sure hope that this is being set up as a boiler feedwater tank and not a condensate return tank, or you're going to have a LOT of problems. A condensate tank pumps its contents out and empties itself whenever the tank gets full. The float control is in the tank itself. A boiler feedwater tank is controlled by the feedwater float on the boiler.

ottawamerc

Thanks for the reply's, it is a feed pump and tank with a MM46 pump control. I was back on site today and it's working excellent! The new tech, low water volume boilers definitely require the larger storage tanks.

burto

nice need looking job. do you have any pics of old system ?

nicholas bonham-carter

I would say that the new boilers with less water, will still have enough water in their operating range of heights to make enough steam to keep the system full. A passive reservoir tank could also be used which is still gravity.
Have you thought about staging those boilers on pressure? Fire all three, and drop one out when the pressure gets to 6 ounces or so.--NBC

vaporvac

Excellent suggestion Nicholas, and I agree about the tank. SlantFin has a feed pump in their TR50 install manual which was a major stumbling block for me until the pros here said it's probably not necessary on my system. Slantfin assured me I would probably not need it and they just include it for the huge applications that may. They said for my vacuum system I MAY need a condensate tank hooked in below the water tank, but wait and see first. So far, so good! No shut-offs on LW. I have 1466 edr.