Boiler Repair

dbvanerk

Hi There,

I'm part of an 80-unit co-op whose boiler is in need of some repairs and I'm looking for some help on the terminology. We had two contractors come by and have a look at it and both provided a different repair solution. I'm just trying to make head from tails on how to proceed.

For reference, this is an Eastco (A.L. Eastmond & Sons) model FST150. The issue is that the front wall in the boiler at the fire cone is cracked and is starting to fall apart.

One proposal is to repair the cracked wall with replacement refractory, reline the front plate with kao wool insulation, and make whatever other repairs are needed with new refractory. There is an alternate for rebuilding the fire cone as well. The second proposal is to rebuild the front wall and, if needed, the fire cone itself.

First of all, I'm not sure if the kao wool is there originally, so what does this do to the way the boiler heats up? Secondly, what is the refractory made of? This is the lining of the masonry in the boiler? With all the heating and cooling off taking place, how long really can we expect this to last?

If anyone has a section diagram handy, that would be immensely helpful.

Steamhead

That should be a cylindrical steel "Scotch-Marine" type of boiler. With this assumption- the refractory protects the front wall of the boiler from excessive heat. That part of the boiler has no water in it to carry heat away, and without some type of protection, the front wall would be damaged.

The refractory material protects the front wall by reflecting heat from the flame away from the metal. It also provides some degree of insulation. Kaowool is one type of refractory, fire-brick is another, also pre-cast refractory which can conform to the shape of a particular boiler.

Eastmond/EASCO is located in New York City:

http://www.easco.com/

Give them a call and see what they have to say.

EBEBRATT-Ed

I second what @Steamhead said. You need a qualified refractory contractor. I would call EASCO and they can probably recommend someone (or do it themselves) depending on your location.

There good boilers. If I am not mistaken they used to make boilers for Iron Fireman

dbvanerk

Much appreciated. I'll contact Eastmond and let you know the results.