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Instead of skimming or wanding

MilanD
MilanD Member Posts: 1,160
edited February 2017 in Strictly Steam
Mr. King. 1924.

Comments

  • ttekushan_3
    ttekushan_3 Member Posts: 960
    That's a great book. Even the cover is instructive!

    That reminds me of a cleaning technique I haven't used in awhile but worked quite well.

    I had a circumstance long ago where very cold temperatures and a new steam boiler in a storefront plus residences upstairs was banging gurgling surging, etc. Not skimmed properly by the installers.

    Now, I wasn't in a good position to help them out because I couldn't stay around, but I could stop by every couple hours. That and the skim ports were plugged. It wasn't my job so I wasn't going to do something extravagant except to get it clear enough so my friends in the building wouldn't suffer in the cold. Conveniently, the super (who I knew) provided access to the boiler room.

    So I tried this:
    Through the safety valve port, poured in enough 8-way boiler water treatment to be considered a bit of an overdose. 8-way is related to the Steam Master tablets that others here like so well. Replaced safety valve.

    Removed gage glass drain and installed a small nipple and ran a hose to the floor drain. Closed the bottom gage glass cock and left the top one open.
    Let the system run normally to heat the building.
    Dropped by every few hours to check it. Left it to run without any intervention other than automatic water feeding. This action drained away wet steam from the froth above the water line.

    By late evening (12 hours or so later) the water was running clear and the water line was pretty stable. Put all the pieces back, everyone was happy and as far as I know no one did anything further (not surprising, haha).

    I've done it a couple times since with similar success.

    It's not a sanctioned method but what the heck. It is similar to power boiler surface blowdown, only higher.

    Terry T

    steam; proportioned minitube; trapless; jet pump return; vac vent. New Yorker CGS30C

    MilanDLionA29
  • MilanD
    MilanD Member Posts: 1,160
    That is one great tip! Love it! Awesome - and thanks for sharing it @ttekushan !
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,257
    That is a great trick, I like it.

    Since your "draining" above the water line I am less nervous about doing this with a low water cutoff failure or a water feeder that goes bad. I worry about everything
    MilanD

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