Uncovering the Truth about Sooted Boilers. This weeks video

RayWohlfarth

As we enter the heating season, I wanted to talk about the dangers of soot on a boiler and how to safely remove it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxCjXNUNIhw

Tom51

GREAT Video Ray!

We found a Keawanee this week that was sooted.

Started prepurge and the air flow sounded funny.

Reached down to see if the damper on the burner was opening and it just spun like a windmill.

I think we found the issue,

Have a great day!

RayWohlfarth

@Tom51 Thanks Great catch on that Kinda brave sticking your hand inside lol

Steamhead

"Shop vac with HEPA filter"?

I tried that a long time ago- that's why I got a Sootmaster.

RayWohlfarth

@Steamhead LOL I get it but when that's all you have, it works better than nothing Thanks

retiredguy

Another great and informative video Ray, but where were you in 1970 when I and a helper cleaned my first sooted boiler at the Brant's Funeral Home in Perrysville. I could have used your expert advice before my horrible experience, (just kidding). So, I was fresh out of Gateway Tech and working for an HVAC company that is no longer in business and of course I knew everything??? We pulled the burners, took off the jacket, and grabbed a hose, turned on the water and WOW, what a mess. Somehow, by the end of the day we got the boiler cleaned and put back together. We got the room cleaned and were ready to leave the job. Oh yes, one last thing, we were covered in soot, clothes and body. So what do 2 stupid kids do, we grabbed the powered Tide laundry detergent and scrubbed our whole bodies. We got almost clean. Later that night I learned why you never clean skin with any laundry detergent. Make sure that you print out your video and pass it out at any and all classes that you or your colleagues teach. You can even tell my story of "what not to do".

RayWohlfarth

@retiredguy I feel your pain my friend. Thank goodness you weren't cleaning the incinerator

fixitguy

Today's mess, notice the soot on the side of the expansion tank. He wanted it serviced and put back into running condition. I had to laugh at that.

RayWohlfarth

@fixitguy How come those calls always come on a Friday. Good luck

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

We had one today as well. We cleaned it - a Laars - two years ago and the owner wanted it checked this year; high CO and we were able to bring it down after flushing it with water.

It seems that once it soots up, it's predisposed and will soot up again and again. I believe the cause was condensation from low return water temperatures and possibly not enough makup air.

He's due for a new boiler, but doesn't want to spend the cash right now.

Steamhead

Common problem with that type of boiler.

captainco

Is that supposed to be a condensing boiler? Without seeing the flue temperature it has to be under 300 degrees based on the O2 and efficiency. Definitely a condensing problem.

Just for better understanding why does return water temperatures caused sooting? 140 degrees no sooting but 130 degrees sooting. What about combustion air colder than 70 degrees.

As a wholesaler for over 20 years I sold boiler reset controls and based on a 20 degree differential, our customers never had a sooting problem and our lowest setting in mild weater was 105 to 125 degrees.

RayWohlfarth

Here are the dewpoint temperatures depending on water temperature and excess air.

captainco

iThe flame temperature of a burner is over 2500 degrees. It is written that for every degree the combustion air changes the flame changes temperature. That would be the same logic for water temperature. Remember water heaters never heat water above 140 degrees and definitely don't have incoming water temperatures above 140 degrees.

Condensing is caused by underfiring, inadequate combustion air or improper venting. These will eventually cause sooting, but water temperature is never the cause.

markdelzell

Sooting is caused by carbonizing flame, spyder in burner intake or burner flame impinging on cold boiler surface.