The Importance of Air Venting in Steam Systems
Where there is air, steam will not go.
Comments
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Should I remove the vacuum breakers on my 2 pipe supply main and replace with main vents. The main does have a vent at the end but not sure it works0
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Very well written.0
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Our main air vent was plugged by a professional some years back. I just removed the plug before thanksgiving and installed a Gorton #1 main air vent. A radiator towards the end of the main that hadn’t heated in years came back to life. Possibly every story you’ve told here, on your podcast, and in “The Lost Art of Steam Heating” about what can go wrong with a system happened in our building. With your knowledge and after months of working on the problems in units and in the boiler room I’m now just a few more trap rebuilds and a few trap installations away from a well working system. Thank you. I’ve enjoyed the journey. Our HOA is enjoying and will enjoy the benefits, including the lower fuel bills!2
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johnshanahan said:Our main air vent was plugged by a professional some years back. I just removed the plug before thanksgiving and installed a Gorton #1 main air vent. A radiator towards the end of the main that hadn’t heated in years came back to life. Possibly every story you’ve told here, on your podcast, and in “The Lost Art of Steam Heating” about what can go wrong with a system happened in our building. With your knowledge and after months of working on the problems in units and in the boiler room I’m now just a few more trap rebuilds and a few trap installations away from a well working system. Thank you. I’ve enjoyed the journey. Our HOA is enjoying and will enjoy the benefits, including the lower fuel bills!Bryant 245-8 2-pipe steam in a 1930s 6-unit 1-story apt building in the NM mountains. 26 radiators heating up 3800sqf.0
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Thank you for this great article!
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Forgive me for my ignorance but I am a newbie. I believe that the attached picture is of one of two main vents coming off this Burnham IN-5 single piped steam system. Am I correct? If not, where should I look? I know of no other air vents on this system other than the ones on the radiators. Thanks in advance.
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I have a Gorton #1 on each end of the mains (one on each side of the basement), but I really think I either need more #1s or a #2. I have the #2 but it's too huge to put it anywhere. Right now, it's a $100 beer coaster. Also, my main vents only really get going when my boiler shuts off, which I think is weird. They will vent slightly until the pipes get hot enough to close the vent and then at boiler shut off, they go crazy venting air.
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This subject has been discussed here for years. My question has also been asked for years.
"Why can't we eliminate air thoroughly and seal whole system?" Some say resulting vacuum will prevent condensate return. Does this answer make sense?
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No.
If I had the time and the money I'd love to build an all copper brazed steam system. Evacuate it and "charge" it with water. I assume it could be topped off with an inert gas like nitrogen to get whatever the required operating temperature is.
But I'm pretty certain condensate would have no issues returning.
Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.
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Yes, those are your main vents.
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Bburd0 -
I service an old YMCA with two pipe steam. The radiators do not have vents. Is that because it's two pipe steam?
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Two pipe rads are vented thru the outlet trap, that air must travel thru the return piping to an air vent.
Often it is vented out of the vent pipe on a feeder or condensate pump, if used, at the boiler.
The return piping must not have any water traps (sags) to stop the air before it gets to the vent……also steam coming out of the pump vent means some trap(s) have failed and stuck open.
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