Traps and Broomell System

John G. Merritt

Bromell Replacements/ or drop in capsules.
Call Mr. Tunstall at 1800-423-5578
Remove vents from rads.

John

Arend van der Veen

Replacements for Broomell Traps

My house was built in 1908 and came with a Broomell steam system. I have been using the "The Lost Art of Steam Heating" as a guide to get a handle on how the system was supposed to work. I started by replacing most of the broken supply valves and now have better control over the temperature in various parts of the house. I am now trying to reinstall a radiator that was removed. I have the radiator but do not have the special Broomell Trap that is required on the return side. I have not been able to find a replacement for this. Can I use a properly sized thermostatic steam trap (from Barnes & Jones for example) as a replacement ?

I have also noticed that a few of the radiators that were installed in 1930 have both stream vents and traps. From my reading I think that I should get ride of the vents. Is this correct ?

Sorry if I am asking the obvious but I am a novice.

Thanks, Arend

Steamhead

An ordinary radiator trap

like the Hoffman #17C will work fine. On a larger radiator use the Barnes & Jones #122 since it vents air more quickly.

Your radiators should not have vents on them. The air should vent into the dry return and out thru the receiver/regulator (if it's still there) or a large vent mounted on the return. I've seen installations where a separate dry return was installed to service a group of new radiators, but they forgot to put a vent on it. The solution here is obvious!

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