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2 Pipe Steam Without Traps

I was on a job very similar to this with the same problem a few months back. This too had been reworked with newer radiators as well as combined return piping above the water level. The steam was indeed entering the return an prohibiting the ability of steam to move through the other radiators effectively and evenly. Choices were to trap the radiators that have combined returns above the water level and install a main vent on the common return piping serving them or to repipe them with the return drops extended below the water level. If you vow for the radiator traps then remove the vents on those radiators.

Glenn Stanton

Manager of Training

Burnham Hydronics

U.S. Boiler Co., Inc.

Comments

  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Member Posts: 1,199
    A Harlem Monastery

    This place actually has monks in robes with pointy hoods. It also has a combination of one pipe and two pipe radiators with no traps, orifices, or check valves. They all have vents. And the two-pipe radiators aren't heating.

    The original four-floor brownstone had a two-pipe heating system. It's from 1880. The radiators were replaced with modern ones in 1906 when the one-pipe extension was added.

    Most of the two pipe return "drips" join together below the water line. Some join above the water line, so they probably get steam blowing into them equalizing the radiators and slowing the steam.

    I'm going to presume that the 1600 Sq. Feet of steam is preferring the nice big one-pipe part of the system and ignoring the skinny 3/4" and 1" pipes in the two pipe part of the system.

    Other than throttling down the venting on the one-pipe radiators and making certain all the two pipe radiator drips join below the water line or water traps, anyone have any ideas to help out these cold, pious men?

    Long Beach Ed
  • Jerry_15
    Jerry_15 Member Posts: 379


    Did it ever work? Sounds like a tough combination. Fooling around with the pressure and vents may bring it online, but don't buy into this one too easy.
  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Member Posts: 1,199
    Install traps

    Then there wount be problems.
This discussion has been closed.