Need help here, is this a Vapor trap?

Mark_72

Can someone educate me on this trap please?

Mark_72

Mark_72

I've never seen this

Mark_72

Jamie Hall

Yes, it is a trap for a vapour steam system -- @Steamhead would be able to name it immediately.

It's very likely that things have been shall we say modified on your system -- the vent, for one thing, probably was put on to "fix" some other problem, and doesn't belong.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Looks to me like the "Trap" is little more than a water seal.

you need the vent the air has to get out somehow.

But what is that small tubing? That could be the air vent. Where does that small tubing go??

delcrossv

Is that one of those Trane mercury traps?

reggi

@Mark_72 That sure is a curious one for sure.. Would you be able to get some close up pictures of the apparatus's from different angles as sometimes the darnest details are hidden in a shadow?  Where is this beauty located ? It could be a regional build or help narrow down the manufacturer/system.... How's it heating? is it solo or are there similar ones on the system ? Nice looking floors..and room.. looks recently refinished..was the radiator disconnected and moved? Just curious 

Steamhead

Jamie Hall said:

Yes, it is a trap for a vapour steam system -- @Steamhead would be able to name it immediately.

It's very likely that things have been shall we say modified on your system -- the vent, for one thing, probably was put on to "fix" some other problem, and doesn't belong.

To me, it looks like a homemade clone of a Broomell or VECO water seal. The small tubing is how the air is supposed to vent.

The radiator vent should not be there. @Mark_72 , how are the dry returns vented on this system?

Mark_72

Steamhead said:

Jamie Hall said:

Yes, it is a trap for a vapour steam system -- @Steamhead would be able to name it immediately.

It's very likely that things have been shall we say modified on your system -- the vent, for one thing, probably was put on to "fix" some other problem, and doesn't belong.

To me, it looks like a homemade clone of a Broomell or VECO water seal. The small tubing is how the air is supposed to vent.

The radiator vent should not be there. @Mark_72 , how are the dry returns vented on this system?

There are vents on the returns in the basement and on the end of mains. I agree they are a home made trap but i don't have any history on this job. I just got the call today . check out this other gem I found in this building. I think I will be giving you a call

Mark_72

reggi said:

@Mark_72 That sure is a curious one for sure.. Would you be able to get some close up pictures of the apparatus's from different angles as sometimes the darnest details are hidden in a shadow?  Where is this beauty located ? It could be a regional build or help narrow down the manufacturer/system.... How's it heating? is it solo or are there similar ones on the system ? Nice looking floors..and room.. looks recently refinished..was the radiator disconnected and moved? Just curious 

I have no history on this building

Steamhead

@Mark_72 , where is this building located?

Mark_72

Steamhead said:

@Mark_72 , where is this building located?

PA. You do know who and where I am. MJS Service's Inc.

Steamhead

I remember you now! How ya been?

Mark_72

Steamhead said:

I remember you now! How ya been?

Doing well, Thanks for asking. So I hope we can chat about this Apartment building some day soon.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Looks like they took something out (a trap maybe) and spliced in the little water seal in copper and brazed the 1/4" tubing in for a vent

JUGHNE

Does it remind you of a miniature "over and under" condensate dry return for a doorway opening?

dopey27177

The trap is a water seal.

In the upper portion of the trap it appears to have a tube from the inlet side of the trap to the outlet side if the trap to vent the air out of the radiator.

Other types of traps had an internal partition with a hole drilled in the upper portion of the partition to vent the air out of the radiator.

That hole is above the water line of the trap seal, the hole is there to let system air pass into the the return and vent out of the radiator.

This type trap is recognizable as it has a cover that can be removed to clean the hole if it got clogged.

Jake

Hap_Hazzard

Just had to throw this in here.

reggi

@dopey27177
Jake from these photos there doesn't appear to be any covers to be removable to clear the vent tube when it gets cruddy..
In fact the photo of the white trap looks likely it would need a bit of wrenching to get at ...and the black one appears to be angled to meet the return... and there are vents on the radiator/line ...1 looks at least original.,

OK.... Here's my shot based on what I can figure 😉
Agree with a Patent water seal clone @Steamhead suggests and considering @dopey27177 post about clearing the vent tube..
I think each water seal was "built" onsite. to fit the radiator space / return pipe and the "Tubes" would of had to of been set/brazed once everything was fitted* , now the tubing may actually serve to reinforce the U as it would be difficult to access for service.. and it  also appears to be constructed of a thinner wall metal copper, bronze perhaps ?

mattmia2

How old is the building/system? is it new enough that this might have been original copper tubing?

dopey27177

To see if the tube is clear and air is leaving the radiator remove the vent and csp off. If the radiator gets hot you do not need that eyesore.

jake