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Vapor System Upgrades

JStar
JStar Member Posts: 2,752
in Strictly Steam
Just wrapped up a job on a two-pipe Vapor system. Based on the sideways Illinois radiator traps and express riser / down-feed set up, it looks like a form of Illinois Vapor system. There were no other mechanical devices in the boiler room to give a solid confirmation. Haven't done much other research on it yet.

Main complaints were massive water hammer is portions of the system and uneven heating all around the house. The house is in historic Mendham, NJ, built in the mid 1700's.

We repiped the boiler header (new 5" drop-header), removed an uneccessary condensate pump, added orifice plates to all the radiators, installed a set of new vents on the return and end of main, and put in a 2-stage gas valve and Vaporstat. I also added a drip-trap to the express main for good measure. When I cut out the plug, a few cups of water came out, so that effort feels well spent.
ChrisJ

Comments

  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
    Bonus!

    There was still a pile of unused coal behind the wall to the left of the boiler.
    RobG
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,856
    Nice job! I still have a pile of coal in my basement... there are things its useful for, now and then.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
    Jamie Hall said:

    Nice job! I still have a pile of coal in my basement... there are things its useful for, now and then.

    Stocking stuffers?
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,384
    Looking good!
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    RobGvaporvac
  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,578
    Yes, what is that coal good for, besides christmastime for bad children?--NBC
  • SWEI
    SWEI Member Posts: 7,356
    Gorton clearly owes you a thank-you note :smiley:
    RobGJUGHNE
  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,502
    Perhaps a few lumps of coal for each of the burgeoning group of presidential hopefuls?

    Bob
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,276
    So are there 4 #2 vents on the end of steam main return drip into the wet return........and are there 4 #2 on the dry return going into the wet return??

    Did you feel that venting all the air thru the rad inlet orifices, rather than the discharge traps (which I assume are empty) would be slower than original design?

    Do your dry returns, which I assume never see steam with the orifice system, get hot enough to close the #2's?

    How did you size the orifices, EDR X 80% maybe, but how did you select the pressure?

    I better quit before it gets to 20 questions.

    Thanks

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