Steam troubles

Pete C.

Need some advice. Looked at a job on a one pipe steam system. Very uneven heating. Two mains off the boiler with a fairly balanced load on each main. Apparently the boiler was changed and the former wet return is a dry return. Both mains are now coming together above the water line. To change the whole line and drop it in order to make it a wet return is not possible at this time. I read Dan's book about False Water Lines and will consider it. But here is my question. In the length of return pipe between the mains, can I pipe in a water seal? Like with 4 elbows and some nipples and get the results I need? Or is this bad practice??? Thanks!

ta finnegan

Options

Personally, I would have to go with new returns but failing that the false water line has worked for me in the past but your measurements need to be dead on. The wet returns are more forgiving.

I'm not sure I follow the seal idea. Are you talking about piping into the equalizer? Maybe post a drawing to demonstrate your idea.

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Pete C.

By a water seal, I meant piping in a "U" in the now dry return between the ends of the main.

I am inclined to go with the false water line with this, but, can you please detail what you mean by "measurements being dead on"...I am familiar with the FWL from Dan's book, but never installed one. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. What are the "pitfalls" and so on..thank you!

Unknown

False water line

Hi Pete.

Read Dans book again.

See false water line.

The false water line is an installation that can be done very reasonable in cost. The piping modifications are near the boiler and do not take up much room.

I have used this piping design for 30 years and it never faoled to correct a problem.

One pipe steam is tricky when you use a water seal. They have to be installed at the right location and not impede air removal from the system.


Jake

Steamhead

I've done it that way

and it works. Make sure you have at least a 3 foot depth in the seal itself and more if you can get it. You'll have pressure coming at the seal from both sides so it shouldn't blow out.

Also install a boiler drain on a tee at the very bottom of the seal. This can be used to flush dirt out of the seal, and you can also fill it with a hose thru this drain.

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