A ? for the steam experts....Boilerpro

Boilerpro_3

I am pulling out a dead condensate pump turned boiler feed pump on a one pipe system. The pump was originally needed because the old boilers water line was so high, but the new boiler (installed about 7 years ago) is very low. (Yes Steamhead this is the system we have talked about previously).

I left the end of main bucket traps in place and already have main vents in place. The boiler is getting a vaporstat to keep the water level backing up in the returns below the trap outlets. However, since the trap outlets are being pressurized by the boiler now, water is not returning.

I believe all I need to do is vent the traps outlet to the atmosphere (maybe with a float type vent to prevent possible floods if the vaporstat goes bad). Sound good?

Boilerpro

Steamhead

Gravity return should still work

You have the option of either lowering the returns below the new boiler's water level, or building a False Water Line. This would let you do away with those bucket traps. The Vaporstat might solve the problem of water backing up in what was once an "A" dimension and is now a "B" dimension, but we all know traps can go bad or clog. And I doubt venting the returns after the traps would work- if there's any pressure there at all, water would rise far enough to close the vents.

I'd return to the ultra-simple, ultra-reliable gravity return.

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Boilerpro_3

More info

The common wet return is already below the boiler water line and the traps are about 36 to 48 inches above the water line with the lowest hozizontal about 32 inches. I plan on using the vaporstat to keep the pressure below 1 psi....28inches... however the pressure in that now wet return is equal to the boiler pressure while the pressure at the end of the mains is much lower...hence little flow from the traps. As soon as I opened up the wet return blow down valve and closed the hartford loop valve the water started flowing from the traps.

Looking for a less expensive way than repiping the returns...its a rental.

I guess I'll swing by tommorrow and just drill a hole in the piping up near the traps and see how it works.

Boilerpro

Steamhead

Just remove the traps

and make sure all the drips drop below the waterline before joining together. This will equalize the pressure. That should do it.

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Boilerpro_3

Done.....

Went back yesterday and pulled the traps and all is well.
Thanks again!

Boilerpro

Steamhead

Glad to help

that's why we're here.

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