CPVC on steam returns (below water line)

Ed DiMiceli

CPVC as condensate returns, below water line and not too close to boiler. All supported by laying on floor.
ANYBODY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT ?????????

Weezbo

weakest point.

i'd call that designing for disaster.

DanHolohan

I sure do.

ScottMP

Come on

Its job security

Nothing that I would ever install or allow to stay on any job I was servicing. What is the tubing rated for temperature wise ?

Scott

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Matt Clina

CPVC Temperature Rating

CPVC is rated at 200 degrees, but I sure wouldn't trust it.

In fact, one manufacturer rates 1/2" CPVC with a max working pressure of 850psig at 73F, and 210 psig at 180F!

http://www.harvel.com/piping-cpvc.asp

Again, I can't imagine anyone actually doing this.

Carl PE

That really doesn't sound like a good idea..

Brad White_2

This is a test, right?

Potential melting, expansion... new indoor swimming pool/hot tub combo. What's not to like? ;^)>

Matt Undy

It sounds like a slightly better idea than Orangeburg for sewer line or galvanized water supply lines or any of a number of other things that were done for years even after they were known to fail rather quickly.

Certain types of palstic should be able to take it though those may not have ben the plastics used. (I won't use palstic for prety much anything but drain lines but if the product is used within its specs and there isn't a footnote to the spec that says it degrades under the conditions used I wouldn't be agianst somone else beign the guinea pig).

Matt

Steamhead

I seem to remember a thread a couple years ago

where someone did that and the CPVC melted.

Kind of puts the iron-vs.-copper return question into perspective, eh?

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tommyoil

No problem at all

Not if YOU dont have a problem with cleaning up the mess, doing the job twice and fielding calls from the building inspector and probably a few attorneys. NO PROBLEM AT ALL!!!!

bob young

plastic garbage

great idea . use it for buried underground returns with an automatic feeder. and a new boiler annualy

Ed_13

CPVC on steam returns

NO,,,, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO,,,,,, NO, NO,

Let me explain;

No does NOT mean it is OK.

No means NO, DO NOT DO IT.

NO,,,, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO,,,,,, NO, NO,

Oh, by the way, NO!!!!!!!

JMHO,

Ed Carey

lchmb

I agree

with the other post's stating not a chance, but question? How about some pic's of this? I would really like to see it....:)

Weezbo

I trust you get the general drift of our replys...

Carl PE

Have you considered?

I never said it wouldn't work. Only that it's not a good idea.

What happens when the owner rolls his washer and dryer over it? or just catches his foot walking by? Is there a tread plate?

Do you have the manufacturer's written approval for this application?

I've got a pvc condensate drain laying on my basement floor. Always in the way, always catching my foot on it.

What happens when the guy's dog gets bored and starts chewing on it?

Christian Egli

Plastics? dream on!

What if we call CPVC a resin rather than just plastic, won't it sound much better? Does it change the melting point? No, just like everyone else said.

CPVC melts, that's MELTS, at 217 F and it is too soft as of 200 F already. PVC melts at 185 F, ABS at 220 F, HDPE at 235 F and PEX at 275 F. Even at that, PEX is only used up to about 180 F. (Data from catalogs) None of those will do.

But that's for resins, rubbers can withstand more heat. Neoprene 220 F, EPDM 225 F, Santoprene 275 F and silicone 450 F. So, reinforced rubbers would be doable, it seems, but there is nothing at all to gain on either durability or cost.

There is something to say, though, about looking into using new materials for steam installations. Hydronic heating has become much more attractive since PEX came around. Likewise, air ducts are much easier and cheaper to install with flexible ducting.

On that topic, reading the label on an insulated fiberglass air duct hose, I notice that it is rated for 31 PSI and 250 F, hmm, I could use that for a handy-dandy steam main... It is pre-insulated and safe for banging the head against even if it hangs low... Branches are simply connected by means of duct tape... Steam could have a bright future again...

I hope I am not giving anyone any serious ideas. Don't use plastics here.

There is nothing wrong with using relatively inexpensive metal pipes that will last 100 years or more. I even think that for churches and buildings meant to last for ever and ever, we should use stainless steel. But, it would be nice if we could use flexible steam mains that you roll out of a box and stuff into whatever joist space there is.

A good idea?

Matt Undy

Oops

I wasn't really refering to CPVC specificaly or especialy the CPVC on the market for domestic water. Iron and copper pipe both ahve sme corrosion issues in returns under certain situations, the right palstic might not be such a bad idea but the right research and development hasn't been done to come up with a product that may be used with the knowledge it will work so unless somone knows of a system that has been tested there isn't a plastic system today.

I found this while trying to figure out how the use of the word schedule to gdescribe wall thickness came in to being, it looks like a possibility though probably cost prohibitive(perhaps competitive with SS?):

http://www.valinonline.com/product.asp?ProdID=7455&deptid=54

Matt