Steam Vents vs Vacuum Breakers

Dale_3

Can/Could a Steam Vent be used instead of a Vacuum Breaker?? This is on a very old Autoclave. A LOT more information is available if needed. Thanks again for the help. Dale

Steamhead

That autoclave

was probably hooked up 2-pipe, with a trap on the return. The air vented thru the trap into the dry return. No vent was needed.

I'd stick with a vacuum breaker. Theoretically you could use a vent for this purpose, but that unit probably requires steam at higher pressures than most of today's vents could handle. A proper vacuum breaker would make that autoclave run just like the Dead Men intended.

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Dale_3

Steamhead,

Thanks and here is a little more info. I believe this used to have a Vacuum breaker on it and someone has changed it in the recient past. I am considering going back to the vacuum breaker. You are correct this is a two pipe system and it has two traps on it. One drains the cond out of the inner shell and one drains out the outer shell. I think we have a trap problem with the outer shell but I am also thinking the vent for the outer shell "since it is not a vacuum breaker" could be contributing to the problem. Anymore input is appreciated. Dale

Steamhead

You definitely could

have a bad trap on the outer shell if it wouldn't release the air from the shell- but there could also be back-pressure in the return, causing the same symptoms. If there's no back-pressure, remove the vent, install a vacuum breaker and repair the trap. If you can't get parts for the trap and have to replace the whole unit, be sure to get one with similar capacity and pressure ratings. You can get traps and trap parts from Tunstall, Hoffman or Barnes & Jones.

www.tunstall-inc.com

www.hoffmanspecialty.com

www.barnesandjones.com

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