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Is this a steam trap?

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Jamiedle
Jamiedle Member Posts: 5
in Strictly Steam

I have a house built in 1930 with two-pipe steam. A contractor said he didn't think this radiator (and a couple of other similar ones) had a steam trap. But I'm wondering if this elbow-shaped piece is actually a steam trap. Thanks in advance!

IMG_0132.jpeg IMG_0133.jpeg

Comments

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,313

    it is a vapor system, it doesn't have traps. that is i think a water seal, maybe it is a broomell system.

    don't let them touch it unless they understand what a vapor system is.

    the boiler through correct sizing and a vaprostat keeps the pressure low, under about 8 oz/in^2 and that vapor valve on the radiator meters the amount of steam that is let in to the radiator to less than what the radiator can condense so it is all condensed to water before it gets to the outlet of the radiator.

    keeping the pressure very low, a few piping things and possibly some specialties at the boiler are critical to making that system function properly.

    EdTheHeaterManpumpcontrolguyGrallert
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 7,237

    where is this house located.
    you do not want them working on that system.

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 18,658

    It's an O-E Vapor system. That return fitting is a water seal with a small hole in it to let air escape from the radiator. You can find it chapter 15 of @DanHolohan 's excellent book "The Lost Art of Steam Heating"- the latest version is here:

    https://www.heatinghelp.com/store/detail/the-lost-art-of-steam-heating-revisited

    All Steamed Up, Inc.

    Baltimore, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting

  • Jamiedle
    Jamiedle Member Posts: 5

    Wow! We've never known this was a vapor system, even after having two contractors who are supposed to be steam system experts. We are in Ferndale, Michigan, just north of Detroit. I found this in Holohan's book and it looks just like what we have on many radiators, although it doesn't seem consistent around the house. And apparently if we have a vapor system, we shouldn't have a pressuretrol (which we do) and should have a different, more sensitive control for the lower pressure?

    IMG_0135.jpeg
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 18,658

    @Jamiedle , the book I linked to above goes into a lot more detail. How about some more radiator pics, including ones with different fittings, and some pics of the boiler and any devices in the piping near it?

    All Steamed Up, Inc.

    Baltimore, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting

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