What's wrong with this boiler piping

Jeff_44

Can anyone tell me what's wrong with my boiler piping?
Acording to Dan's books, its seems that the risers and header piping is wrong on my old system. Although its
been that way for 50 plus years. Any thoughts would
be appreciated.

Thanks, JC

S Milne

Well ...

it looks like ...

The supplys come off between the risers.

The equaliser line comes off the top and then down.

Not enough height to dry the steam.

How am I doing ?

Scott

Constantin

Interesting...

Your system looks like its steam risers are coming together in a bull-headed "T", a no-no, IIRC. Chances are, the system would benefit from a drop-header, like the many that Ron Jr. has shown in his installs.

I also doubt that you have enough "A" dimension to create dry steam, though it depends on the boiler. Do the vents spit?

Considering that the pipes seem to be covered in asbestos, any work on this system is going to be expensive. If the system is working well, I'd let sleeping dogs lie and wait for the boiler to give out before calling the abatement company, etc. I will say that the insulation contractors seem to have done a nice job covering the pipes... the system ought to be responsive.

Jeff_44

Thanks Constantein,

There is no spitting from any of the radiators. And
the system is silent. I have replaced the main
vents which has made it run even better.

When I do have the boiler replaced, I assume I'll
have to have the asbestos removed before the contractor will even come near it. Will it be necessary
to re - insulate the pipes? And lastly, why do you suppose this piping was not done right? (Also my system has a sort of 'half-hartford loop.') Did a knucklehead put this system in 1940? BUt...why does
it continue to run so quiet?

Thanks,

JC

J.C.A._3

Jeff.

Chances are that that puppy was converted from an old coal boiler (in the time frame specified) to whichever fuel you're using now.

Old coal boilers got away with "less than" many demesions mentioned in todays piping diagrams because they were slow to heat and make steam. New equipment, by design is supposed to make steam FAST!, and that is when the near boiler piping becomes critical.

If you were to replace the boiler, after the "fire retardant insulation material" is removed, my guess from the pictures is that the "A" demension on most new steam boilers would be able to be achieved in the space provided. If not, do a search and find some good pictures of a drop header from this site, to show the person you will hire to do the replacement. The insulation should be replaced with a current version, but if the other stuff is still together and not a hazard, maybe just remove the stuff that will be effected by the new piping and "encapsulte" the rest with whatever the removal company has been approved to apply.

I'm guessing that this is either a Kohler or Kiwannee boiler. Please let me know. Chris

EBEBRATT

Nice old job. If the combustion efficiency is decent and the system is quiet I would leave it alone until such time as you decide to replace the boiler. Hoveaver your seasonal efficiency and standby loss which is more difficult to measure will drive the fuel bills up. I bet the pliers on the boiler and the dust missing from the top right of jacket means you are adding makeup water with the pliers needed to open the valve--am I right?? The other replies are correct-this large boiler steams slowly so the piping doesn't have to be "perfict"

Jeff_44

Thanks Chris and EBEBRATT,


The boiler is a Weil McClain and as far as I can tell
was originally fired with oil. (At least that's what is says on the fire box door.) At some point someone
converted it to natural gas. All the asbestos insulation
is in very tidy shape. No flaking or breaking up. EBEBRATT, you're exacly right, the pliers are to let fresh water into the system from the weekly blowdowns of the low water cutoff. The inlett line actually has two valves that have to be opened and one of the handles is broken so I have to use the pliers.

You guys are quick.

I do appreciate your very astute observations.

JC

Weezbo

there are old forced air furnaces modeled in a fashion

after this boiler, i seriously think they weigh every ounce and are very quiet...i have also piped boilers in some homes that had some of this age boiler...i too looked at things a bit different after seeing how well they were functioning...maybe i ought to embark on a save the steam boilers and radiators around here....