Tips for steam boiler maintenance knowledge

seanppp

Hello! I am starting a job at a small brewery next week and my boss said he'd like me to maintain the steam boiler, which I don't know much about. It's a little guy (looks kind of like this: http://eshop.czechminibreweries.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/esg-25-electric-steam-generator-01-300x300.jpg), but I don't know much else about it, or much about steam.

Are there any recommended resources for learning about a small package boiler, its anatomy, maintenance, and the basic steam system components?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Steamhead

Well, you've come to the right place. First thing is to get the I&O manual and study it.

Next, a question: In this system, is all the steam returned to the boiler as condensate?

seanppp

Thanks for the reply. I don't have access to the manual until I start work, but on the first day I will get it and have some homework! :-) To answer your question, yes, all the steam should be returned as condensate. It just heats up the kettle to boil the beer, then comes back. Any loss would be due to leak.

Steamhead

Then it works similar to a steam heating system. Get Dan's book "The Lost Art of Steam Heating", read it cover to cover, then read it again. Amazon has it.

seanppp

Great. Thanks for the advice. Any advice on pumps, glycol chillers, and reverse osmosis systems? :-)

lottie

Steam head do you have a private email or a phone number???