Trying to understand the observed rates of condensate flow.

Hap_Hazzard

The return on the left in the video drains a main branch with 179 ft.² of steam attached radiation. The return on the right a branch with 184 ft.² of steam. The radiators well balanced; all radiators seem to heat fully. I wouldn't expect to see such a noticeable difference in the condensate flow, but here we are. Can anybody explain why this is happening, or is it some kind of optical delusion?

https://youtube.com/shorts/f5lkuoyXgY0

neilc

the video says 170 to 250, a much bigger gap than is mentioned above, which is more correct?

Hap_Hazzard

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1838070#Comment_1838070

Oddly enough, it doesn't make a difference. I've tried turning off various radiators on the high branch to see if it made any difference, but it didn't. I apparently forgot I'd done that when I recorded the video, so those numbers were just from my faulty memory. 179 & 184 are the correct values. I stripped the audio and re-uploaded the video to avoid confusion.

Long Beach Ed

Maybe it's me, but I'm having trouble seeing a difference. Why not just waste the condensate into two pails and measure it?

Hap_Hazzard

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1838094#Comment_1838094

I'm not THAT curious. 😂

ethicalpaul

I agree with Ed that it's hard to tell how much is flowing there.

I will also add that it's kind of fun to put those at the water line so you can monitor the water level at the far end of your mains (although it's not very exciting—they don't move in a one-pipe system unless you are doing something weird)

Hap_Hazzard

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1838265#Comment_1838265

Theoretically, the water level in the returns should be the same as the boiler, unless it dips below the Hartford, which it shouldn't. At least mine doesn't.

BTW, thanks for turning me on to these sight glasses. Being able to watch the condensate flow has been revealing. I expected it to have a lot of rust from the radiators and piping, but it looks just like distilled water.

ethicalpaul

not just theoretically 😅

But it’s still cool to see the water line over there.

And it’s absolutely my pleasure to see some more of these in the field. They can really indicate if you have carryover to the main!

Teemok

Could it be that one side of the building is warmer than the other? I'm not a very experienced steam man so this is a genuine question.

Hap_Hazzard

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1838316#Comment_1838316

That's an insightful question, actually. Since the sun hits on opposite sides of our house in the morning vs. afternoon, it might be worth taking a look at this at different times of the day to see if it changes. Thanks for the suggestion.

ethicalpaul

I think it is relevant to know at what stage was the system during this recording? Was it the start of a call for heat? Or were all/most of the radiators steam hot?

ChrisJ

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1838326#Comment_1838326

I was thinking the heavy side was handling most of the condensate from the piping warming up….