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Steam coming out vent

kevinpassman
kevinpassman Member Posts: 1
in Strictly Steam
We have a customer with steam occasionally released out the vent of a condensate return unit .
We have checked traps for leaking pass steam and as of yet not found that to be happening
We have removed some condensate pipe insulation to unsure its not returning condensate too hot
Temperature readings have been 200-204 F with no release of steam
Boiler operates at less than 4 lbs
The area it serves is about 27 years old
This condition hasn't been trackable to anything as of yet and has been happening for years.

Any suggestions ?
Kevin

Comments

  • delta T
    delta T Member Posts: 884
    kevinpassman said:



    Boiler operates at less than 4 lbs

    This is still too high, and may be part of your problem. You should not need more than 2 lbs, and in most cases, much less than that.
    How are you checking the traps? Can you post some pictures of the condensate receiver and associated piping?
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,182
    Have you checked the F&T traps. How close is a F&T to the condensate pump.
  • Pumpguy
    Pumpguy Member Posts: 676
    Common problem with leaking traps and too high steam pressure.

    Check all traps for leakage, and lower the steam pressure.
    Dennis Pataki. Former Service Manager and Heating Pump Product Manager for Nash Engineering Company. Phone: 1-888 853 9963
    Website: www.nashjenningspumps.com

    The first step in solving any problem is TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,998
    It's possible it's flash steam and that the traps are not bad. But a bad trap is more likely.

    Try lowering the steam pressure and see what happens
  • gerry gill
    gerry gill Member Posts: 3,078
    I'm thinking along the same lines as EBEBRATT-ED. flash steam from to high an operating pressure/temp.
    gwgillplumbingandheating.com
    Serving Cleveland's eastern suburbs from Cleveland Heights down to Cuyahoga Falls.

  • Sailah
    Sailah Member Posts: 826
    If your receiver tank is 200 degrees you have bad traps, I don't see how the water in the tank is that hot without. Procure an ultrasonic tester and check traps.

    Just my $0.02
    Peter Owens
    SteamIQ
  • gerry gill
    gerry gill Member Posts: 3,078
    how was the condensate temp measured anyhow? was it a surface temp reading on a pipe (which will be lower than the liquid or gas inside) or did you directly measure the condensate liquid and if so where? Cant drain off tank as that is diluted with cooler tank water thats already in there. Just curious as to where and how you measured the condensate. Maybe it cooled down before you read it.
    gwgillplumbingandheating.com
    Serving Cleveland's eastern suburbs from Cleveland Heights down to Cuyahoga Falls.

  • MilanD
    MilanD Member Posts: 1,160
    If f&t traps oversized, and if op psi is higher, condensate can flash into steam as it's released due to quick volume expelled and sudden pressure drop into atmospheric pressure. Same on properly sized trap. How large is the "puff"? How far is the vent from the trap?

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