Bullhead or no?

Mike Hartmann

(Let's not get personal now, I have been called bullheaded, but we're talking about my furnace here!)

Several years ago I had my 50 year old oil fired steam/hot water boiler replaced with a new gas fired Utica PEG-C steam boiler (w/a separate gas hot water heater). Ever since the new boiler was installed I have had a problem with the water level bouncing/surging in the glass.

I heard of Dan Holohan's book and recently bought it (outstanding book even for a non-pro like me). And I read that bullhead tee's are bad. That they can cause surging. So do I have a bullhead tee?

My header config looks the same as the side view illustration in Dan's book pg 55 lower left (which is labeled a bullhead). In my case I have 2 risers off the furnance that join together horizontally at the back of the furnace to form the header. On the right side of the header, the horizontal righthand riser continues past the coupling with the header, and links to the drip pipe and the main steam dist. riser. A reduction coupling is used at this 3 pipe intersection to join the verticle drip pipe, to the horizontal header, and the verticle main dist. riser.

Describing this reminds me of the CO2 filter building scene in the movie Apollo 13!

The Utica installation guide shows a slightly different install arrangement. In fact the key difference between what I have and what Utica recommended is that the risers from the furnace, the riser to the main dist. pipe, and the drip pipe are all supposed to be connected in series - there are no shared couplings. The left hand furnace riser meets the horizontal header pipe, which then meets the right hand furnace riser, then the header meets the main dist. pipe riser, and then the header ends at the elbow with the drip pipe.

So is the Utica way correct and my installer's way fouled up, or is there no difference between them and I typed this all for naught?

If I have failed miserably in describing this configuration, I promise not to apply for a job at NASA!!

Also, note that I don't know if the installer cleaned the new boiler after install, but he did not install a skimming tee ...why not is beyond me.... So it's possible this surge problem is oil related. I have blown down the boiler myself at the end of each winter until the water ran clear. I tried skimming through the upper port of the glass tube last year, but whether that worked or not...I still have surge.

Lastly, anybody that can recommend someone who can deal with good ole steam heat problems in the Morris County NJ area would have my gratitude for the suggestion.

And, of course, anyone who has a pearl of wisdom on this has my thanks for their feedback

Mike

Mark Hunt

Any chance


you could post a picture?

Hard to "see" what you are describing.

Mark H

peter desens

Boiler piping

Mr. Hartmann,

The suggested piping diagram found in the PEG-series installation instructions is what we have found to be the best way to pipe steam boilers. This is pretty consistant throughout the industry. There are alternative methods that too will work.

I would ask that you send a letter along with a photo to our office at P.O. Box 4729, Utica, N.Y. 13504. The photo will provide us the necessary information to answer your questions.

As for the surging that is happening, the first suggestions I would have is to have the boiler "skimmed". This is detailed in the installation manual. After skimming, "blowing down" the boiler is also recommended.

Peter Desens
Technical Service Manager
Utica Boilers

Mike Hartmann

bullhead

I was not aware that I could attach a picture. I will do so as soon as I can