Steam Traps???

Ken_40

"trap-type" components around during the hey-day of Vapor systems that acted like traps, but did not look like one.

So many nances exist, it is impossible to answer unless perhaps you can reduce to 600 x 450 pixels, a photo of the feed valve - and the return pipe fittings at the rad outlet?

If you want more than a quick answer here, you might invest in Holohan's "The Lost Art of Steam Heating" - the bible of vapor steam.

David Fenigstein

I have a mix of original freestanding steam radiators and newer recessed steam radiators. The older ones do not have traps or at least it does not appear like they do and some of the newer ones do have traps. The ones with traps (newer ones) do not work well, while the older ones work great. Keep in mind this was once a vapor system 2 pipe. Would they not have installed traps on a vapor system? Should I remove the traps or should i install traps on all radiators?

Nick Ciasullo

I suspect

the reason the units that are trapped are not functioning well is because the units without traps are allowing steam to pressurize the return line. Without a pressure differential, the steam trap isn't going to work. If the system has been converted to a pressurized system, you will likely need to trap the rest of the radiators.

Further analysis would be required before the above answer is considered "the answer".

Nick

Steamhead (in transit)

I think the original system

was probably Orifice Vapor. This type of system relied on very low pressure- typically 1/2 pound. The orifices on the inlets were sized so that if the pressure did not exceed a certain value, the steam would not get into the dry return. On this type of system you MUST use a Vaporstat that cannot exceed 1 pound.

It is possible for a system with a mix of trapped and orificed radiators to work well. However, I prefer that everything be set up the same way. You can still get orifice plates to fit radiator shutoff valves or pipe unions.

Take some pics and post them- we might be able to be more specific.

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