What are these steam traps for?

AndythePlumber

replacing a boiler. There are two mains, each has a 1/2” supply going to the return with a trap separating the two. Thank you!

Grallert

I looks like they're there to get rid of condensate that gets trapped when the zone valves close. Without them the steam would hammer that water every time the valves opened on a call.

AndythePlumber

I see what you’re saying, the only thing though is the tees were installed 100 years ago and the zone valves are only 10 years old. Someone put the tees in way before the system was ever zoned

Grallert

Those valves are newish but it's likely there were valves there the whole time. I'm not sure the dates but zone valves have been around for a long time. There are zone valves here in the building i wander around in that are nearly 80 if not older.

pecmsg

There could have been Hand valves before actuators were installed.

dopey27177

Those are thermostatic steam traps, if you look at the piping on the one on the right it was bushed down from a larger size. the discharge from the steam main should have been at least 2". the nipple leaving the bush down area should be at least 12" where a two by 3/4 t should have been put in place with a two inch by at least 6" nipple and cap to be used as a mud leg.

follow the piping to the condensate tank, you will notice the piping has a built in trap. the piping should go directly into the condensate tank! the goes for the zone on the left.

Look at all the 3/4" piping again, to many lines are fed into one common 3/4" condensate drain. the common drip should have been at least 1". 1 by 3/4" Tees should be installed on the common condensate drain.

Remember thermostatic steam traps release air as well as condensate. By changing the piping the the steam traps will serve a dual purpose.

The large condensate piping at the left side of the condensate boiler feed tank must be piped into the highest tapping on the condensate receiver. Additionally thee overflow of the condensate receiver should be below any and all condensate piping because system air also is released thru the condensate receiver.

The vent line needs to bee piped down to the floor, this would prevent steam or water under pressure if steam traps fail, see the electrical devices on the wall.

Install a gauge glass on the condensate receiver.

Looking ate the the partial piping I think this a one pipe steam system.

Placement of steam traps should always be near the beginning of the steam piping>

Jake

Long Beach Ed

We did work on a local church with motorized zone valves installed in 1924. They had bleeders on them too.