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can anyone identify this main steam vent valve?

rhodebump
rhodebump Member Posts: 152
It's a 3/8 inch size. I plugged the vent for now, but I would like to order a replacement.

Here is a picture:



Would any 3/8 steam vent work such as:
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Gorton-G18-Gorton-No-1-3-8-Air-Eliminator-Main-Vent-Valve-3523000-p

Thanks!
Phillip

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,398
    That was a vent? Looks a lot like a hot water bleeder valve to me. Could be wrong -- have been before.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • hvacfreak2
    hvacfreak2 Member Posts: 500
    hvacfreak

    Mechanical Enthusiast

    Burnham MST 396 , 60 oz gauge , Tigerloop , Firomatic Check Valve , Mcdonnell Miller 67 lwco , Danfoss RA2k TRV's

    Easyio FG20 Controller

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,291
    Looks like one of those hygroscopic vents. I didn't know they made them in 3/8".

    How long is the steam main, and what pipe size is it? Is this the only steam main in the building?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • rhodebump
    rhodebump Member Posts: 152
    It was hissing out steam. Here is a picture of where I found it.

  • rhodebump
    rhodebump Member Posts: 152
    Yes, this is the only steam vent in the building.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,291
    Not a "vent" per se, but a vacuum check. This looks like a Vapor system, probably a Dunham.

    There is not supposed to be any steam in the dry (overhead) return lines of this system. Since there is, you probably have one or more bad traps somewhere.

    Where are you located?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • rhodebump
    rhodebump Member Posts: 152
    I am near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I do have some bad traps that I am in the process of fixing.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,291
    Get them fixed and see if the problem disappears.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    rhodebump
  • MikeJ
    MikeJ Member Posts: 103
    Good call steamhead
  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,578
    The bad traps may be not only on the rads, but also in the crossover trap group.—NBC