Single Pipe Steam

Jamie_6

Thanks for the response SteamHead! My next question is about a Hartford loop.

1. Should the entire loop be made out of black pipe?

2. I have an old IBR installation guide from the Hydronics Institute. (Dated June of 1966) It explains the dynamics of the loop and how it should be piped but it does not have any specifications on distances and heights. Do I need be concerned about any perimeters?

Thanks a million,


Jamie


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Jamie_6

Returns?

I am currently looking @ a single pipe steam system which has black iron horizontal returns in the basement! The bottoms of almost all of the returns are rotting out and I was curious if I can replace them with copper. I am assuming they are filled with nothing but water and it would not be a problem. But just wanted to check with the local steam heads first.

Thanks again for all the help, Jamie


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Steamhead

Jamie, in my experience

copper works fine on wet returns. But only wet returns, below the boiler water level. If theyre above the water level theyre dry returns, and you must use black pipe.

Check your main vents- rotted pipes can be caused by bad venting.

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John@Reliable_4

Jamie, copper could be used but,

I think it's quicker with black. You can buy nipples maded up or make them up yourself at shop. Don't forget a drain and unions,I also like to put boiler feed on side that will cause water being added to clean out loop every time water is added. As far as piping use a close nipple where loop connects to main piping about 2 inchs below normal water line and it's also good to use plugged tees instead of elbows on the returns for flushing. Hope this helps John@Reliable

Steamhead

The only thing I can add to that

is that when you install a new boiler, the manual will have all the specifications needed. But on an older boiler that we can't get a piping diagram for, I'd go with John's advice or that in my Dead Men's Books. The Dead Men said that the Loop connection to the equalizer should be about 2 inches below the bottom sight glass tapping- to keep steam from getting into the Loop- but ALWAYS above the boiler's crown sheet! Finding the level of the crown sheet isn't that hard.

Technically, a Hartford Loop connected to the equalizer at a point above the bottom sight glass tapping is a Gifford Loop. But I've found both work well when done right.

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