Visualizing invisible steam video
My next installment in "dumb boiler tricks".
In this one I saw two really interesting behaviors.
- The balls create a localized zone of high pressure under the balls, then lower pressure in and above them. I believe the condensate that we see in this video is steam that condenses due to the higher pressure zone under the balls. Then that condensate gets blown upward where we can see it in the glass. Weird! It's not boiler water because my boiler water currently has 8-way in it and is noticeably purple.
- Even with the the left supply valve completely closed, and the balls pressed against the top of the sight glass, greatly limiting the area where the steam can flow, flow it did, with barely any increase in pressure (never going over 1.5" of W.C.). This goes to show how compressible the steam is—it can get through very small spaces at the flow rates and pressures of residential steam.
NJ Steam Homeowner.
Free NJ and remote steam advice:
https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
See my sight glass boiler videos:
https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
Comments
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I’m impressed with the one handed site glass manipulation 😉
Bob "hot rod" Rohr
trainer for Caleffi NA
Living the hydronic dream
4 -
Very cool. What material did you use for the sight glasses?
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Thanks! There was some advantageous editing going on 😂
They are sold that way, you can search for "tri-clamp sight glass". They are used in brewing and chemistry production. I believe they are stainless steel and glass.
NJ Steam Homeowner.
Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
1 -
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@ChrisJ and I don't live close enough to be regular accomplices.
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I know, this one was horrible, I really needed a third hand and I couldn't find my tripod
NJ Steam Homeowner.
Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el0 -
I buy the Dernord brand from their Amazon store. They are surprisingly inexpensive. With clamps and adapters this 25 mm runs around 50 bucks. I customized some of the adapters to sweat and press.
I also found two sources for glass tube. They will cut and ship up to 24" length in different diameters and wall thickness.
I have site glasses on my HP, boiler and solar to watch for air and monitor fluid quality.
Bob "hot rod" Rohr
trainer for Caleffi NA
Living the hydronic dream1 -
Nice. I'd like to have one of those on the 3/4" copper to my expansion tank, just because I'm curious to see if the integral air separator in my cast iron boiler is working and sending air bubbles up to the expansion tank.
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that’s great, Bob! That’s my favorite brand as well.
the other cool thing is included in that price you get a free union you can open with no tools.
And the 2.5” ones I have are not much more $$
NJ Steam Homeowner.
Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el1 -
I really want one on my one return, or even both. But I haven't felt like doing it.
I just thought it would be cool to see the condensate returning.
Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.
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It does, but you will be sleeping or at the store when it happens. So after you spend all that time and $$$ you won't see a thing unless you have Paul show up with his overwhelming patience and a camera.
Edward Young Retired
After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?
2 -
It would probably be more realistic to install a small security camera that records 24/7 and then skip through the footage quickly.
Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.
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but then Paul wouldn't have any fun that way
Edward Young Retired
After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?
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Live stream it so everyone on HH can look if they want. It would be as entertaining as this video.
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Thing's side job between filming Wednesday series. 😁
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it is! Line it up so the normal water line is at the 1/3 point
NJ Steam Homeowner.
Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el0 -
Next we will be filming the washing machines and dryers at the laundromat.😊
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and get 3 canadiens, well, 2 now, to play some racket and roll
known to beat dead horses0
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