Old NRC Boiler

Dan Foley

I saw this one yesterday in the Cathedral Heights section of DC. It still running but we will be replacing it soon. It appears to be a vapor system with graduated inlet valves but there are traps on the radiator outlets.

Dan Foley

A few more pics. The valve has a “B” stamped on it. Barnes & Jones?

Dan Foley

Pics attached

Fred

Interesting that the boiler plate indicates the boiler has about 33% more Sq. Ft. of steam output with gas or oil compared to Hand Fired (coal, I'm assuming). Certainly better explains why these old boilers are considered way over-sized. Open windows wasn't the issue, conversion was and that was understood even back then. They likely weren't over sized until converted.

Dan Foley

Any idea how old this is? My guess is 1940’s

Fred

@Dan Foley
The National Radiator company developed from the earlier Fowler Radiator Company (est. 1894.[1]) which was acquired in 1896 by John and Samuel Waters;[2] after the acquisition the radiator factory was moved from Norristown to Johnstown. In 1902 the company was renamed National Radiator Company.[1]
The company expanded, and by the 1920s had plants in Trenton, New Jersey, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and New Castle, Pennsylvania. On 8 Aug 1927 the National Radiator Corporation of Delaware was established with a capital of $25 million; the new group incorporated the Union Radiator Company, the Gurney Heater Manufacturing company, the Continental Heater Company, the Niagra Radiator and Boiler Company, and the Utica Heating Company.[2][3] In 1929 the company established an industrial research laboratory.[4]
In the early 1930s the company required reorganisation due to debt problems, and was placed into receivership and subsequently re-established.[5][6][7][8]
In 1951 a fire at the company's "Century" plant (Moxham) killed one person, and caused $1 million of damage.[9]
In 1954 the directors of the company approved a merger with the United States Radiator Corporation.


Could be even older than the 1940's. There is a Patent # on that boiler plate. Wonder when it was filed?

Dan Foley

Thx, Fred. Maybe early 50’s?

Either way it is time for an upgrade.

Fred

@Dan Foley , I couldn't find that patent but I found several around it and they are all dated 1941 so it is safe to assume that boiler is somewhere after 1941 (since it is not a "Patent Pending") and 1954 when they merged with US Radiator.

Steamhead

Dan Foley said:

A few more pics. The valve has a “B” stamped on it. Barnes & Jones?

Ohio Brass. The circle around the B is the O. Barnes & Jones used a B&J logo. What make are the traps?

I'd say early 1950s on that boiler. They were built like tanks and would last a long time. We still run into them around Baltimore and have upgraded a few with baffles and flame-retention burners when the owners aren't ready to replace them. See this thread:

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/160431/any-hope-for-my-national-heat-extractor-100-series-oil-boiler

Be aware these had asbestos insulation under the jackets, which will require abatement.

If possible, I wouldn't mind getting a hold of that InterBurner and Vaporstat. That was one of the first flame-retention burners and I've never actually seen one. Besides, it would be good to see you again- it's been a while.

HVACNUT

What about the oil guys?
Any good burner pics?
I can make out a burner design logo but cant read the name. That thing looks awesome.
I think that's the first I've seen without the snail shell housing. Looks like a first gen R8184G too, but that would've come much later than the burner or boiler.
I collect older oil burner logo plates so if you wind up replacing, I'll pay shipping.