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Confused by basement runs in school 2 pipe system

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Comments

  • Pumpguy
    Pumpguy Member Posts: 753
    edited May 22

    Still don't understand "connected to the vacuum assembly". Could you show pictures?

    If you're meaning the vacuum (air removal) function is regulated or controlled by the aquastat, this generally isn't a good idea. Especially with that 2 step lift in the lower level.

    Air removal and pressure reduction is often needed even though the returning condensate is cool, or hasn't started coming back yet.

    Now if you converted this portion to a mechanical lift with its own condensate lift pump, that would be better, but still IMO, not a good idea.

    Dennis Pataki. Former Service Manager and Heating Pump Product Manager for Nash Engineering Company. Phone: 1-888 853 9963
    Website: www.nashjenningspumps.com

    The first step in solving any problem is TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.
    heattheschool
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 17,845

    In the picture that shows the radiation that sure looks like a vacuum lift fitting par way up the wall. Sure seems like a lot of lift is needed. You kind of have to blow up the pic to see it.

  • heattheschool
    heattheschool Member Posts: 17
    edited May 23

    Yes, that’s what I mean. The aquastat is regulating the vacuum function (vacuum only turns on when steam is in the mains). It looked recent change (the electrical conduits are cleaner and shinier), that’s why I brought it up.

    IMG_9579.jpeg


    makes sense that it isn’t ideal. Yet another opportunity to improve things. :)

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,845

    someone kludged that in to stop the vacuum pump before the steam leaking past the traps gets to the pump?

  • heattheschool
    heattheschool Member Posts: 17

    yes. It goes up about 64” per section of the vacuum lift. More than a foot more than recommended by the references from @Pumpguy for a 2-stage lift.

  • heattheschool
    heattheschool Member Posts: 17
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1856220#Comment_1856220

    Can’t be that, see the picture I just put up. That’s the primary steam pipe it is attached to. I’m not really sure why someone did it.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,845

    oh, so it is just turning it on when the boiler starts heating?

  • heattheschool
    heattheschool Member Posts: 17

    yeah. Not sure why it isn’t just turned on with the boiler power though so it would start to pump vacuum before the pipes got hot.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,845

    maybe because it isn't allowed to go in much of a vacuum it is to wait until the boiler is steaming so it is pulling steam from the boiler instead of air in through the vacuum breaker

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