Dunham Widget

Charlie Manning

I have a gravity return 2 pipe system...gas fired....80 years old in Garden City, NY. Just replaced all the steam traps and getting condensate hung up in the system...I think because of this Dunham Air Eliminator thing. It's a small cast iron bucket with a siphon at the end of the condensate return line at the boiler about 45" above the Bioler Water Line..it used to be vented with a Vent Rite No 6 but Miller Bros replaced it with 2 Gorton Valves. I am thinking steam will never get there to shut it so it is always open to atmosphere....shouldn't this be inducing a vacuum and pull the air out and the condenate back?

Am trying to figure out if I need an air check valve or something that might replace that 80 yr old bucket without investing in a pump. I have some photos which are attached.
At the end of the condensate return line -2009;
Closeup - 2010;
Bioler system -2006.


Charlie

[Deleted User]

well,

those are radiator vents..i would install a gorton #2 main vent.

Mad Dog

NO! It should n't be doing that...and....

you probably don't need it any more. When these systems converted from coal, most of these appurtenances became obsolete. Why do you say the condensate is getting "hung up" in the system? Is the boiler going off on low water? Mad Dog in Floral Park

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[Deleted User]

i think he may want to keep it M.D.

the dunham handbook says''used to vent the air from the return piping in the dunham home heating system. it prevents water from escaping.(means it has a float in it).it is always open to atmosphere. capacity 2000 sq.ft. weight 18 pounds. list price 21 dollars''..boy, expensive little puppy considering people probably made a buck a day back then..its your systems venting means..

Mad Dog

I would always want to see see for myself,

in person, but, there are not many systems that have any use for receivers or return traps any more since they were used when coal was king. I tend to like to leave them in place, but only for sentimental and historical purposes only. With the greater control of the fire on oil and gas boilers, the traps and receivers are usually obsolete. Think about what they really did and why..... Mad Dog

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jackchips_2

Very interesting.

Tell us more gerry and Matt.