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Who made this main vent?

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TonKa
TonKa Member Posts: 104
edited December 2022 in Strictly Steam
It's about 7 inches tall with no markings. It seems the top cap is adjustable to 4 different sized orifices. The vent appears to still work properly.

This vent is at the end of a main return before dropping down at the boiler into the wet return. I'll call this main #1. A second main (#2) is about double the length of main #1 ending with a Gorton #1 before dropping to the wet return. Main #2 also has branch about halfway down. This branch has a Big Mouth at its return end before it drops into a loop seal draining into main return #1. The loop seal drops about 14 inches before the 180 which rises about 8 inches.

Even on this vent's smallest orifice adjustment, steam seems to reach this vent on main #1 faster than the two vents on main #2. While I understand there are other factors involved in the steam's speed, it got me curious. Does anyone know how well this thing vents? How does it compare to a Gorton #2?

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  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,425
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    It looks similar to a Hoffman, but I believe it says “Wallco” on the side, No. 6 Vac. Assuming it’s a vacuum vent. 
    TonKa
  • TonKa
    TonKa Member Posts: 104
    edited December 2022
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    Danny Scully said:
    It looks similar to a Hoffman, but I believe it says “Wallco” on the side, No. 6 Vac. Assuming it’s a vacuum vent. 

    Hah! I could not see those markings with my naked eye. They're clear as day in the picture (no flash, same lighting, eyes at same distance about where I just zoomed into) which I didn't look at carefully.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,845
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    "Warco". This was its own company for a while then was part of Bridgeport Brass.

    How long is the main this is used on? What pipe size? Is it the only main in the system?
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  • TonKa
    TonKa Member Posts: 104
    edited December 2022
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    Steamhead said:
    "Warco". This was its own company for a while then was part of Bridgeport Brass. How long is the main this is used on? What pipe size? Is it the only main in the system?

    As mentioned, two mains, with #2 having a branch.

    I can get you the measurements if you're curious, but I was just impressed it seemed faster on main #1 than the Gorton #1 & Big Mouth on the twice+ length main #2. And considering it was probably there from when this place had a coal burner 70 years ago, it still working is also noteworthy.

    Regardless of any contemplated changes to the main venting, it's still a vacuum vent on your typical 1 pipe steam system. It shouldn't really be there anymore.

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