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Radiator with condensate connected to a F&T trap?

Chuck_17
Chuck_17 Member Posts: 145
in Strictly Steam
Low Pressure steam – a typical cast iron radiator, with a thermostatic control valve, connected to a good size F&T trap. Trap is below floor and about 20 feet from radiator.

I know what I think. What do you think? (as opposed to a standard themostatic trap at the radiator)

Comments

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,401
    I think this is a trap. I'm not going to fall for this one!
    LOL
    Seriously...
    Are all the radiators piped this way?
    all to one trap?
    all to individual traps 20 ft away?
    Only this one radiator is piped this way?

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,279
    How is the trap air vented?
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,495
    An F & T should be fine and the distance from the radiator means nothing. The fact that the trap is below the radiator is good. But like any trap the air has to be vented somehow. Does the job have a condensate tank or boiler feed tank?
  • Chuck_17
    Chuck_17 Member Posts: 145
    New radiators connected to existing F&T traps (that used to serve unit heaters)
    Other radiators in building all have thermostatic traps.
    Condensate goes to a condensate pump which pumps back to the other end of the building.
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,955
    If the new emitters don't produce enough condensate to open the seat a reasonable amount it may damage the seat in the trap.
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,279
    Does each emitter have a trap, of some type, of it's own.
    mattmia2
  • Chuck_17
    Chuck_17 Member Posts: 145
    One of the points of a thermostatic trap at the radiator is to let condensate collect in the radiator - correct?

  • exqheat
    exqheat Member Posts: 194
    No. The point of the trap is to close when hot as the radiator has steam and the rest of the system can have the steam. When the trap cools, it opens and the water drains out, along with cold air to allow steam to fill the radiator. This way the system can get the steam to wherever there is an open trap in a cool radiator. Shorter run rads will fill with steam and close allowing longer runs to have all the steam left to heat those radiators. It is very important to make sure all traps are working to avoid cold radiators or steam running into the returns. Most thermostatic trap elements fail open, leaking steam back to returns, and resulting in cold radiators at the end of the system. Non operating traps also waste steam and fuel.
    John Cockerill Exquisite Heat www.exqheat.com Precisions boiler control from indoor reset.

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