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Glass steam header

Ironman
Ironman Member Posts: 7,550
Some years back, someone posted a video of a glass steam header where you could visibly see what takes place when steam is generated. I believe it was produced by Weil McClain?

Can anyone provide a link to it?
Bob Boan
You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.

Comments

  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,578
    this may be what you are looking for:

    https://sites.google.com/site/steamheating/
  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,505

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

    Solid_Fuel_Man
  • Gordo
    Gordo Member Posts: 857
    Here is another one for your viewing pleasure and edification:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWxRkIHTV4k
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    "Reducing our country's energy consumption, one system at a time"
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Baltimore, MD (USA) and consulting anywhere.
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/all-steamed-up-inc
    Solid_Fuel_Man
  • steamhouse
    steamhouse Member Posts: 41
    Now that's cool!
  • Canucker
    Canucker Member Posts: 722
    https://youtu.be/T7zPbcO_ETY

    Here's one I enjoyed
    You can have it good, fast or cheap. Pick two
    Solid_Fuel_Man
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 16,316
    edited October 2016
    What I find interesting is according to the Spirax Sarco videos that should not be happening when a boiler is working correctly. The only time their boiler throws anything but steam up into the piping is during excess load or from water problems.

    On my own WM EG-40 boiler, adding too much Steamaster caused my pressure to rise much above normal, removing the excess dropped it back down. I can only assume that pressure was caused by water going up the risers which reduces the space steam can escape.



    At around 1:25 you can see foam getting sucked up into the riser.

    https://youtu.be/gBNeIBgVfvk?t=1m17s




    Here's the high demand one which looks like what's going on in WM's glass setup.

    https://youtu.be/8Lmagejlc1s?t=39s



    I'm not an expert on this, and I've never even had a glass header but based on what I assume is going on with my own boiler when I use too much treatment vs normal, as well as those Spirax Sarco videos, it seems like the boiler with the glass piping has undersized risers way too close to the water line and this is causing a ton of water to be sucked up with the steam. My understand is under normal operation in Spirax Sarco's videos their boiler is never puking it's contents up into the piping except when something is wrong.

    @Hatterasguy Thoughts??


    Perhaps this is a very good demonstration of exactly what a steam chest does, and why an oversized header and risers is so important on modern residential boilers?

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.