Acid Neutralizer as Condensate Trap

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

I have a Munchkin boiler change-out that's in a crawl space with not enough room under the boiler for the p-trap. Has anyone successfully used the condensate neutralizer as the boiler trap?

Grallert

I'm not sure if it qualifies as a trap necessarily. I haven't run into the same issue as you mention. I make my own neutralizers using a drum trap filled with media. The condensate enters the bottom and has to perk upwards and out. Seems to act the same way a trap would.

clammy

Are you installing another munchkin? Over the years I ve ran into a lot of floor mounted munchkin where no one ever thought about removing ,cleaning or replacement the O EM trap unfortunately with out it being a expensive bill . I wouldn’t recommend trying to use a condensate neutralizer as a trap unless it was designed as such . On my own wall hung the trap went so I made my own w some looped vinyl tubing but I had enough room . On the few occasion where I use floor or base units I ll put them on hot water heater stands and cut out a access hole out so the trap can be removed , generally when doing a heat exchanger cleaning I ll remove the trap and connect temp hose just for flushing n cleaning . Getting that assembly off while it’s sitting on the floor is impossible . Peace and good luck clammy

HomerJSmith

If you are worried about sewer gas, a condensate neutralize won't cut it because it drains out the liquid that would be the seal.

You can put a pvc running trap before the condensate neutralizer especially if you need to keep the trap low.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/DiversiTech-5-409-3-4-PVC-Running-Trap-Slip-x-Slip

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

The trap prevents combustion gases from entering the mechanical area and has a deep enough seal to hold back pressure from the blower. I want to make sure the condensate neutralizer water seal can do the same thing.

EBEBRATT-Ed

I would think it would be fine we are not talking much static pressure. I always thought that is why they made the neutraziler that way

EzzyT

@Alan (California Radiant) Forbes i think all new modcon boilers nowadays have built in condensate traps inside there cabinets so there isn’t a need for a P-trap outside of the boiler.

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

@EzzyT The problem is that the trap extends below the bottom of the boiler.


@EBEBRATT-Ed I always thought they made them that way to give the marble chips time to neutralize the condensate.

EzzyT

oh ok, I do know if you modify that condensate trap on the boiler you’d void warranty. What is the total height of the crawl space that the boiler is located in? Does the new boiler have to be a condensing boiler?

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

The only boilers we can install here in the Bay Area are high-efficiency condensing boilers.
I want to use the same flue and air penetrations as the Munchkin (24" high) for the new, IBC HC boiler (26½" high) and the Munchkin is close to the dirt. Worst case is that I dig a hole in the dirt for the trap.

HomerJSmith

If you dig a hole in the ground, you still need a slope for the condensate to drain. My best solution would be to dig a hole in the ground for the boiler trap, condensate neutralizer, and a pump and drain the condensate neutralizer into a condensate pump and pump the fluid to a drain.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/DiversiTech-CP-22LP-Condensate-Pump-Low-Profile-120V

kcopp

I would talk to IBC in NJ or BC. They are pretty responsive. They also have different size traps depending on the unit. The HC/DC125 units are 2 times longer than the HC 50. Maybe you could use that one.

Paul Pollets

You still need the boiler condensate trap. Or you'll have serious combustion and vent issues. There is a combination neutralizer and pump available: https://neutrasafe.com/2018/10/27/nsp-50-condensate-neutralizing-pump-now-available/

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

kcopp

I look forward to pix of the finished product w/ the new HC.

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

We managed to squeeze the new boiler in with the flue just below the top plate and the condensate trap in the dirt.

kcopp

Wow that was tight...