Alternative Skimming Options for Boilers without Skimming Tees

alexh

I've got a 20 year old Utica PEG150CDE that has improper near boiler piping but seems to run ok with minimal hammering (although it does use a lot of fuel). There's only 1 riser on the boiler (the other side is still plugged) and it's not clear to me if this boiler should have 1 or 2. In any case, I'm getting my system ready for the winter and have installed 1.5" fiberglass insulation on all the pipes to allow the steam to travel further. I have observed excessive surging in the sight glass in the past. I would like to skim the boiler, but don't have a skimming tee installed. At this point in the season, I'm hesitant to attempt to remove the plug in case the boiler cracks. I saw a youtube video posted by the Silent Steam Team https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPrJrk_ajqszjb6EkLkHwiBvzpINiL612 that showed him skimming a Utica boiler via a valve installed at the bottom of the sight glass. Is this the best option for my scenario? Anyone have any advice on the best way to skim using this technique or a better alternative?

ChrisJ

I often clean my gauge glass this way and I suspect it would work, albeit slowly for skimming the boiler.

You close the bottom valve on the gauge class shutting the bottom off to the boiler so the water will only run down from the top of the glass. You then open the drain on the gauge glass. Run the water into the boiler only fast enough that a tiny stream runs down the glass. You want the water to basically run out of that upper tapping only about half way up the hole so you're at the widest point.

A bit lower or higher won't matter as long as you do not cause the boiler to fill above the hole, then you won't be skimming anything.

Because of how small it is, it might take a long time.

EBEBRATT-Ed

PEG 150 is supposed to use a minimum of (2) 2" supply tappings with a 2" header. Post some pictures if you can. Usually with the steam tapping off the side a 2" tee is used at the boiler with a plug or cap for skimming

EBEBRATT-Ed

I would not skim from the bottom gauge lass tapping. The water level would be to low with the burner firing. Although the burner is usually not fired while skimming I would use the top gauge glass tapping. Best bet would be two risers

Post pics so we can see. Skimming may help enough to get you running better

alexh

mattmia2

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1908150#Comment_1908150

they're saying skim off the top tapping for the gauge glass but out of the drain in the bottom of the gauge glass. they are closing the bottom gauge glass cock and opening the gauge glass drain cock, so it is draining out of the bottom of the gauge glass but out the top tapping. unless that tapping is where the sections connect together it still probably won't work that well.

ethicalpaul

Hire a local plumber to separate that union that is right there where the outlet exits the boiler jacket, then remove that elbow that goes upward and replace it with a tee instead. Put a bushing in the tee from 2" to 1-1/4" then a short nipple and a ball valve, then you're all set.

JUGHNE

Paul's idea would be the best.

Or you could drill and tap a 1/2" nipple in the existing 90.

On these side outlets, the inside ports of the section are perhaps smaller than the outlet opening. If that is the case you need to get the water above the bottom of the sections to get the water from all sections to float the top oils out.

I have skimmed by bringing the boiler up to near steaming, shutting the burner off and slowly adding fill water to get the small stream flowing out of the skim port.

I let it flow until the water is pretty cool. Drain down to proper level and then fire again to boil off oxygen of the fresh water.

EBEBRATT-Ed

@alexh

Who ever installed the boiler didn't do you any favors. If you go on Utica's site you can download the manual and see how it should be piped. Not all that bad to fix it right. You may try adding the tee as @ethicalpaul mentioned to see if you can get by the way it is. The equalizer is also all wrong.

Steamhead

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1908168#Comment_1908168

Is that a 2-inch pipe going up into a 4-inch pipe?

EBEBRATT-Ed

Cheap way out.

Take the 4 x 2 reducer off. Put 2 4 x 2 tees on the drop with the 4 x 2 reducer back on the bottom for the equalizer. Feed the two boiler risers into the new tees. it will look like crap but it will work. Headers don't have to be horizontal.