What is this?

dennisba

This thing is on a steam boiler that does not have a Hartford Loop nor return lines. from looking on wall, realized it is a counter flow system. If I decide to take the job, I will do it the Steve Gronsky way, which I saw on the wall.

Long Beach Ed

Looks like an anti-surge tank which dries the steam. Last time I looked, a few small places still made these.

JUGHNE

IIRC, it could be a water/steam separator.

Have seen something like that here on the wall some time ago.

ScottSecor

http://www.unionsteam.com/sr_separators.html

Our local supplier used to push them every time we purchased a Weil McLain or Union Steam all the time. Never actually installed one but have seen a few. In my opinion, pipe the boilers correctly and there is no need for a separator.

Mad Dog_2

I've cut a few out Sears and 'Monkey-Wards" made some thing similar.  As Scott said..unnecessary.   mad Dog

DanHolohan

They do work. It contains a dip tube for the steam. The wide space in the road seriously slows the steam velocity as it leaves the boiler. There’s little carryover. 

Mad Dog_2

I'm sure, but wouldn't a good full port drop header do the same, Dr Holohan? (Professor Emeritus of The Steam and all Hydronics).  If I cut it out, its at Suffolk County Community College Heating Museum where all my Larger relics have their final resting place.   I know Prof. Eugene runs things out in California.  Who in charge there now Dan?  I have a few "new" older items I WILL NEVER junk... Mad Dog

DanHolohan

It does what a drop-header does, Matt, and at less expense. These devices are from the '80s and they helped when the steam boilers were really hot-water boilers, trimmed for steam usage. The steam velocity of those boilers was much too high and the separator slowed the steam significantly. They were more popular in New England than in NY.

I don't have any contacts at Suffolk Community College. I saw Eugene at AHR. He's looking good.

SeanBeans

I believe I saw these in Dan's book, TLAOSH

DanHolohan

Yes

Mad Dog_2

Dano.  I'm going to reach out to Suffolk CC and pay a visit to review what they have on display and reestablish a connection with them and see if they want more artifacts  mad Dog 

DanHolohan

Nice! Thanks. 

dennisba

Thanks for the feed back guys. I knew I would get the answer on this site! I sent a photo to a few of my suppliers, but no one could tell me what it was. Thank you Mr. Dan Holohan for your class, books and articles which have helped our little outfit do steam better.

DanHolohan

I'm glad I was able to help. Thanks!

ChrisJ

DanHolohan said:

They do work. It contains a dip tube for the steam. The wide space in the road seriously slows the steam velocity as it leaves the boiler. There’s little carryover. 

Since the carry over happens in the boiler where it gets pulled into the narrow tapping, that would mean that water is entering the device.

Where does this water drain back out from the device?

DanHolohan

The globe is hollow, except for a dip tube that extends about halfway in from the top. The carryover water falls right back into the boiler as the steam enters the dip tube and heads up into the system. It's very simple. Devices such as this one have been around for more than 100 years. They reappeared during the '80s because the steam boilers of that time were really hot-water boilers, trimmed for steam.

ChrisJ

DanHolohan said:

The globe is hollow, except for a dip tube that extends about halfway in from the top. The carryover water falls right back into the boiler as the steam enters the dip tube and heads up into the system. It's very simple. Devices such as this one have been around for more than 100 years. They reappeared during the '80s because the steam boilers of that time were really hot-water boilers, trimmed for steam.

I wish someone had a patent drawing or something.
I'm having a hard time picturing it.

DanHolohan

Similar to this: https://www.tfi-everhot.com/anti-surge-steam-separator.html

ScottSecor

@ChrisJ did you click on the link I provided above?

DanHolohan

Thanks, Scott. 

ChrisJ

ScottSecor said:

@ChrisJ did you click on the link I provided above?

I didn't even notice it among all of the other posts, I'm sorry Scott.
That's exactly what I needed to see.

jumper

DanHolohan said:

It does what a drop-header does, Matt, and at less expense. These devices are from the '80s and they helped when the steam boilers were really hot-water boilers, trimmed for steam usage. The steam velocity of those boilers was much too high and the separator slowed the steam significantly. They were more popular in New England than in NY.

I don't have any contacts at Suffolk Community College. I saw Eugene at AHR. He's looking good.

Steam drums and separators are a good idea. I believe some systems used flash tanks & separators in returns as well.

Long Beach Ed

Think it's cheaper than a drop header?

Hap_Hazzard

It's cheaper than a drop header, but it returns carryover to the boiler via the riser where it can interfere with the release of steam at the surface instead of sending it through the equalizer where it enters the boiler below the water line. Not sure if the reduction in efficiency would be significant, but there would be some.

DanHolohan

As Gil Carlson would say, "A difference, to be a difference, has to make a difference." 😉

Hap_Hazzard

As my Dad used to say, "a trivial inequality." He was a mathematician. It's not hereditary.