Steam boiler water feeding

Dave_23

Having recently completed the renovation of my Trane vapor system with the help of The Wall, everything seems to be working perfectly.

However, the boiler hasn't feed once this Winter even though it's working overtime. (Michigan has been very cold this season)

The level in the glass doesn't ever indicate a loss of water. Therefore, I believe the system is clean and very tight. This also tells me the pH and chemistry of the water have stabilized perfectly.

I'm running a WM EC-series steam boiler installed about two years ago.

Should I feed/drain some water occasionally, or leave well enough alone?

-Dave

Steamhead

Can't stop a Trane

Sounds like you've nailed it! Reuben Trane is surely smiling upon you from Heaven.

Aside from blowing down the low-water cutoff (if it's a float type) there's no need to do anything.

BTW- the two valves that isolate the sight glass from the boiler are open, right? Sounds elementary but I've seen them left closed a few times.........

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

Dave_23

Can't stop a Trane

My new WM boiler uses a probe-type low water cutoff. Float type was abandoned when then new WM was installed.

Yes, both sight glass valves are open. Just to be exact, the water level in the glass drops about an inch or two after the boiler has been running at full steam for 5 to 10 minutes or more.

After the boiler shuts down and sits idle for 10 minutes or so, the water level returns to exactly where is was in the glass. Thus, no feeding or makeup water required.

George_10

corrosion

I dont mean to rain on your parade but I would definately watch your system for corrosion. It sounds like you will not have to deal with a scaling (calcium)problem due to not having fresh makeup water added to the system.

We take care of many steam heating boilers and corrosion is always the issue. Since the boiler cycles off and on, and as the boiler cools it literally "sucks" oxygen in through vents, pump seals, boiler gaskets and the like and this fresh oxygen starts to effect the tubes of your boiler. The problem is not when the system is running which burns off this oxygen, but when the system shuts down and cools. This is when the oxygen attacks.

You may also want to monitior the pH of the return condensate. CO2 is present and combines with the condensate to produce carbonic acids and the pH of the condensate plummets. This type of corrosion will literally eat away at your condensate return piping.

Just things to think about.....
Scott

Steamhead

Then

it's working as it should!

Scott is right about the potential for corrosion. It might not be a bad idea to drain some water out of the boiler to see if it comes out clean. If so you will probably be OK. If you get a lot of dirt, it would be well to completely flush out the boiler and return lines.

A new boiler acts like a scouring pad on an old system, loosening dirt that's been there for years. We have to get rid of that dirt.

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

Dave_23

Corrosion

I suppose I can drain some water from the boiler, say at the heating season't year end. As a practical matter, how many homeowners ever really take action to minimize corrosion, as such described in this thread?

Or do we just keep our systems in good working order and hope for 20+ years of life from our steam boiler.

The water in my boiler stays crystal clear, even during full steam. Does this indicate that my boiler and returns are clean and therefore require no further cleaning?

Steamhead

It might

but it might not. Can't hurt to check- if you don't check, you don't know for sure.

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"