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Infared image of cast iron radiator

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boobird
boobird Member Posts: 49
in THE MAIN WALL


I've attached a photo of my cast iron radiator. The supply comes in thru the top right corner. The return exits on the bottom right corner. (Supply/return pipes are both on the right side).

Does this image worry you? Could there be excess sludge?


Comments

  • Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Member Posts: 4,002
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    Yes, something doesn't look right.

    Is that picture from when you first turn it on or after awhile?

    That blue rectangle just to the left of center is suspect.
    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,143
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    how lo g of a run time?
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Tinman
    Tinman Member Posts: 2,808
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    Looks like there's a porcelain humidifier hanging on it.
    Steve Minnich
  • Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Member Posts: 4,002
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    Steve Minnich said:

    Looks like there's a porcelain humidifier hanging on it.

    Very observant.
    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,526
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    Yes
    Retired and loving it.
  • boobird
    boobird Member Posts: 49
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    @Steve Minnich
    A porcelain humidifier? Could you explain what you're referring to?
  • Tinman
    Tinman Member Posts: 2,808
    edited July 2019
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    They are reservoirs filled with water that can be hung from cast iron radiators that act as humidifiers. Some of them were very decorative while others were just tin cans basically.

    The outline of blue in that radiator image is so squared off and definitive that it looks like it could be one.
    Steve Minnich
  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,230
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    Thermal images require a bit of interpretation, starting with some perspective. Is this a circulating hot water system or a steam system...or at the end? Was the boiler actively running at the time? Was this image taken immediately at the start of the heating cycle or did it have some time to run? The 38° differential between high and low temperature in the image suggests the system water was heated to some extent before it began circulating (if it's a hot water system). Again, the one image alone doesn't tell us much. You'd need a couple more determine system behavior.
    Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
    Consulting & Troubleshooting
    Heating in NYC or NJ.
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    HVACNUT

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