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Vapor System

Steamhead
Steamhead Member Posts: 17,498
so this type of conversion is no longer possible. It really didn't work that well anyway, unless you were burning coal.

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Comments

  • gehring
    gehring Member Posts: 65
    Creating Vapor System

    I was reading one of the old articles posted on the Library titled "Six Kinds of Steam Heat" (Plumbing & Heating Business, 1941) which describes One Pipe Vapor systems. The article says:

    "By simply installing vacuum air valves on the radiators of a one-pipe gravity steam system, the characetristics of the system are changed and during the 'off' period, it acquires some of the characteristics of a two-pipe vapor system."

    The article goes on to describe the benefits of such as that of longer radiator heat retention and lower fuel bills

    SO my question is, is that all there is to it?? I understand you would need to know more specific details of my particular system, but just HYPOTHETICALLY, could the simple replacement of all of my current radiator air vents with "vacuum air valves" (and I am also assuming the change-out of the pressuretrol to a vaporstat with a correspondingly lower cut out setting) result in longer radiator heat retention and lower fuel bills?? If so, I am tempted to try it (even though the current system works fine). My system is otherwise tight, no leaks, no drips, no loss of water, so I think my pipes would be able to hold a vacuum.

    One the other hand, the article opens by talking about the various misconceptions regarding steam systems proffered due to the carrying forward of old or out-dated information. So, in that regard, is this 1941 article no longer accurate in what they have just described? I am curious what the experts think before I spend money on vacuum air valves or end up creating some new problem.
  • Mad Dog
    Mad Dog Member Posts: 2,595
    exactly...just forget it , pal

    you're blessed with a well-working steam system ...leave well enough alone. Mad dog

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  • Boilerpro_3
    Boilerpro_3 Member Posts: 1,231
    Steamhead, Hofmann still has them in thier catalog,

    > so this type of conversion is no longer possible.

    > It really didn't work that well anyway, unless

    > you were burning coal.

    >

    > _A

    > HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=

    > 157&Step=30"_To Learn More About This

    > Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in

    > "Find A Professional"_/A_



  • Boilerpro_3
    Boilerpro_3 Member Posts: 1,231
    Steamhead, Hofmann still has them in thier catalog,

    You would need a modulating gas train on the boiler, as Noel has seen, i believe to make this work nicely. If you want to try something else to improve steam efficiency, why not put in a Paul system using the steam to power a Moline type (venturi) air ejector to pull the air out of the system rapidly.

    I wish I had some systems to try this stuff on, not many are available for experimentation.

    Boilerpro
  • Robert O'Connor_6
    Robert O'Connor_6 Member Posts: 299
    Yeah Dave

    your the mad steam scientist!

    Tell me how is it going with the steam systems that are sized to the heat loss rather than the connected load? Haven't heard from you in a while on this.

    Regards,

    Robert

    ME
  • gehring
    gehring Member Posts: 65
    Thanks

    Thanks for the advice gentlemen. I will stick with what I have now.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,498
    Just the #76

    or the #2A as well? I thought they stopped making the #2A vacuum vent for radiators at least ten years ago.

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    Consulting
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,498
    If your fuel bills are high

    check for missing, too-small or stuck main vents, also lack of pipe insulation and too-high pressure settings.

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    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,610
    Longer than that.

    Probably closer to 20 years.
    Retired and loving it.
  • Boilerpro_3
    Boilerpro_3 Member Posts: 1,231
    Sorry, no Vacumn rad vents

    My mistake



    BP
  • Boilerpro_3
    Boilerpro_3 Member Posts: 1,231
    Haven't had much opportunity to explore it deeper....NM

  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,610
    There's literature about these

    in the Library if you'd like to see how they worked. It's in the Steam Heating section.
    Retired and loving it.
This discussion has been closed.