Anyone seen this before ?

Ceacel

Sighted in glenside pa. A few more pics available. Has a “newer” Columbia boiler. I’m not aware of any other history of the house, current owners have been here since 84. 

EBEBRATT-Ed

Looks like a it says Hutchison Vapor..........Corporation. Probably a boiler return trap. Vapor system

mattmia2

It isn't this, but you want to make sure it isn't something similar:
https://heatinghelp.com/systems-help-center/honeywell-heat-generator/

Steamhead

mattmia2 said:

It isn't this, but you want to make sure it isn't something similar:
https://heatinghelp.com/systems-help-center/honeywell-heat-generator/

This is a Vapor steam system, not hot-water. The radiator valves are orificed so the steam will not reach the radiator return connections as long as the pressure is kept low. If the boiler has a standard Pressuretrol, replace it with a Vaporstat.

That main vent is too small. Use a Gorton #2.

Hutchison was based in Washington, DC. We've encountered one of these in Baltimore. ISTR there was an article about this system somewhere on the site, but can't find it now......................

Erin Holohan Haskell

These resources may help:

Troubleshooting a Hutchison Vapor Heating System
https://heatinghelp.com/systems-help-center/troubleshooting-a-hutchison-vapor-heating-system/

Vapor Heating - The Hutchison System Diagram
The Heating and Ventilating Magazine, 1921
https://heatinghelp.com/heating-museum/hutchison-system/

Steamhead

@Ceacel , there you go! Thanks, @Erin Holohan Haskell .

unclejohn

I some how knew Steamhead had seen that.

Steamhead

unclejohn said:

I some how knew Steamhead had seen that.

Anthony Menafro

mattmia2 said:

It isn't this, but you want to make sure it isn't something similar:
https://heatinghelp.com/systems-help-center/honeywell-heat-generator/

Yes mattmia2, it is not a steam generator. I actually have a steam generator that I got from a conversion job. It's a piece of steam heating history for me!!

mattmia2

Anthony Menafro said:

mattmia2 said:

It isn't this, but you want to make sure it isn't something similar:
https://heatinghelp.com/systems-help-center/honeywell-heat-generator/

Yes mattmia2, it is not a steam generator. I actually have a steam generator that I got from a conversion job. It's a piece of steam heating history for me!!

The honewell heat generator is actually a mercury pressure regulator that kept pressure in a gravity hot water system.

I think the hutchison device is just an overly complicated drum trap.