Y-strainer screens

Luke Lefever

I can't speak for Munchkin, but NTI Trinity uses a similar heat exchanger... local manufacturers rep suggests that the NTI be installed with a water to water heat exchanger to keep the silt out of the boiler. I asked about Y strainers, and he said no, not recommended. Better talk to Munchkin.

heretic

Y-strainer screens

Plan on adding a Y-strainer to my boiler.
Concerned about clogging up the recent Munchkin (140m) with sediment from my old converted gravity system.

Y-strainer screens are available in a variety of 'mesh sizes'; 20, 40, or 60 (in this case)

20 mesh =0.0340 inch openings

40 mesh= 0.0150

60 mesh= 0.0092

20 mesh adequate for low mass boilers?
Want to stop the crud without significantly impacting the flow. Are Y-strainers really the best solution? Anyone use something else (say, basket strainers?) instead?
Guidance appreciated...

heretic

Hate to bump

Hate to be a 'bumper', but some of you MUST use Y-strainers.

Maybe I should have posed the questions differently:

1) Do you put Y-strainers on your returns with old CI systems?
2) How about with low-mass boilers which are somewhat more likely to clog?
3) If so, what is the proper screen size?

Guidance appreciated. Thank you.

Bill_14

Strainers

There should be nothing wrong with adding a strainer to your piping system as long as you clean your piping system, flush the system, allow for the correct pressure drop the strainer will cause, understand that strainers require cleaning maintenance, add valves for maintenance and possibly add pressure gauges upstream & downstream of the strainer. Read these Keckley links for assistance.

http://www.keckley.com/style_b.htm

http://www.keckley.com/strain6.htm

http://www.keckley.com/strain7.htm

Perforation size will affect pressure drop the same as a clogged strainer will impede flow. I would say if there is not a "maintenance" person available to keep a watch on the system that you would probably want to re-think strainers.

hot_rod

Bill is right

if you, in fact, do have crud in the system you will need to keep an eye on that strainer. Of course the finer the mesh, the more potential for blockage.

I would guess the standard screen is a good compromise for flow and most partical collection.

Ball valves on both sides is an excellent idea for ease of filter removal and cleaning.

hot rod

hot_rod

Bill is right

if you, in fact, do have crud in the system you will need to keep an eye on that strainer. Of course the finer the mesh, the more potential for blockage.

I would guess the standard screen is a good compromise for flow and most partical collection.

Ball valves on both sides is an excellent idea for ease of filter removal and cleaning.

hot rod