Old Steam System

hydrohead

What is this?

Jamie Hall

Sarco steam trap. Vaguely similar in operation to a more modern F&T.

Steamhead

Nope- that's a Boiler Return Trap. it functions as a pressure-powered pump to return the water to the boiler if the boiler steam pressure gets too high.

@hydrohead , that is probably a Vapor system- a form of ultra-low-pressure two-pipe steam. More pics please!

Jamie Hall

I'm not much up on Sarco systems... thank you, @Steamhead

retiredguy

@steamhead, I was amazed the first time I saw one of these fantastic steam return "pumps" in operation in a small school house. It had been in operation for years and was still working perfectly many years later.

I met a competitor at this job site a few years later and he plus the hired "engineer" were trying to find the best way to replace it. They obviously had no idea what is was that they were looking at. I recommend that they look at another part of the system to screw up and let that beauty alone.

Steamhead

So, did they?