Basic steam questions

Tinman

As most of you know, I'm not a steam guy. Yet. I have some Steam 101 questions I'm hoping you'll help me with.

When sizing a replacement boiler, I know you size to the connected load. How precise does that need to be? Lets say the existing boiler is sized correctly and has a capacity of 153K. If I go with a Peerless 63-04 with a capacity of 147K, is that ok?

If the boiler manufacturer provides two supply taps, shouldn't both supply taps be used? See pic below.

How common is it that the sight glass is filled with rusty water? Also pic below.

Can a radiator function if the vent is at the top of the radiator? Yet another pic.






Thanks much.

Jamie Hall

Hatterasguy said:

147K is plenty.

...

Take a look on the side of the rad right in the middle where the crossbar is. You'll see a 1/8" plug. Remove the plug and put the vent there.

To which I will add -- the radiator will work, but remarkably poorly -- the steam coming in will scoot across the top, hit the vent, and close it long before the radiator gets enough steam.

Tinman

Thanks guys!

JUGHNE

Is the steam piping insulated or going to be?
This may trigger the debate for the pick-up factor discussion.

JUGHNE

Steam discussions have been really slow here this summer.....I have had to re-read parts of TLAOSH to get tuned up for heating season......tired of the AC thing.

Tinman

The steam pipe is slated to be insulated.

SWEI

How many square feet of radiation?

Tinman

Kurt - my job notes are at the office and I, thankfully, am no longer there.

Steamhead

That's a Dunkirk boiler, correct? If it has another brand name on it, does it say "Certified by DRC" or similar on the rating plate?

Tinman

It's tagged a Crown. Don't have my notes with me but what I remember of the model number is that it started with JBF or JRF?

Tinman

@SWEI - Existing boiler Net IBR 479sf, connected load 460

@Steamhead -

Steamhead

J would stand for Jamaica, which was sourced from Dunkirk. There is probably another plate on there that has the ASME certification on it. There have been quite a few companies over the years that have put their name on Dunkirk boilers. Here's the manual, showing the piping diagram.

http://pdfstream.manualsonline.com/1/1201630d-6791-43ab-b489-d25610fd2cf2.pdf

The 2-1/2" steam outlet on the side is a dead giveaway that this is a Dunkirk. AFAIK this is the only gas-fired steamer that uses a 2-1/2" side tapping for the steam outlet. Way too many installers bush this opening down to 2", and that causes a LOT of problems.