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Is this boiler piped correctly?

rhw
rhw Member Posts: 49
in THE MAIN WALL



Comments

  • SWEI
    SWEI Member Posts: 7,356
    In short, no.

    You should have risers coming out of both sides of the boiler feeding the header (which should probably be larger) and the equalizer should be downstream of what should be two system risers.
    KC_Jones
  • Fred
    Fred Member Posts: 8,542
    Needs a Header, as was said, best if both risers out of the boiler are used an the two mains, tied together with that Bull headed Tee (that the one riser is tied to) should each feed individually off of the header.
  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,804
    Returns are tied together above the waterline also.
    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
  • rhw
    rhw Member Posts: 49
    What problems will the current configuration cause? Right now it works ok although we have been trying to balance the system a little better.
  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,804
    Wet steam, possibly water hammer, spitting vents, increased fuel costs. Balancing could be an issue with the mains and returns tied together they way they are. There are any number of possible issues every system is a little different. Also if that is the only main vent on the system, you definitely don't have enough main venting.
    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
  • Fred
    Fred Member Posts: 8,542
    No Header means that water droplets can't fall out of the steam before it enters the Main so you will have wet steam. Bull headed Tee causes the steam to hit the back of that Tee, slowing it down. Depending on how you have those mains vented steam may take the path of least resistence and fill ne side before the other. (May be one reason why you ca't balance the system well).
    Returns tied together above the water line will cause water hammer as steam can enter those return pipes.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,326
    Here is a thread with pics of a similar boiler with proper piping:

    http://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/151513/lets-start-the-new-wall-off-properly

    Is this a one-pipe or two-pipe system? That is, do the radiators have two pipes connected to them, or just one? Post some radiator pics if you can. This will tell us more about the way the system (not the boiler) is piped.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • rhw
    rhw Member Posts: 49
    One pipe system.
  • rhw
    rhw Member Posts: 49
    No water hammer or spitting vents. Not sure about fuel cost as I have nothing to compare. Do need to insulate and have mains vented. Is it advisable to wait until the end of the heating season to re-pipe and add main vents? System has been keeping us warm for about 10 years.
  • Fred
    Fred Member Posts: 8,542
    You can add Main vents anytime if you have a place at the end of the mains to add them easily. You need to add them at the ends of both mains or you will have additional balancing problems. If you have to modify the piping to add the vents, wait till the weather is warmer.
    I wouldn't do any repiping of the near boiler piping at least until Spring.

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