Steam velocity

JIM W.

I HAVE READ IN THE LOST ART OF STEAM HEATING OF A OLD TIME RULE OF NOT TO EXCEED 15 FT/SECOND. I HAVE ALWAYS INSTALLED STEAM BOILERS FOLLOWING THIS RULE, AND HAVE HAD GREAT RESULTS. THE QUESTION I HAVE IS THAT THE MANUFACTURES INSTALLATION INSTRUCTION ALLOW FOR 21-31 FT/SECOND. DAN NOTES THAT " MODERN BOILERS DEPEND ON THE HEADER TO DO THE JOB OF STEAM SEPERATION." I HAVE THEORIZED THAT STAYING IN THE LOWER VELOCITY RANGE WILL ALLOW THE BOILER TO MAKE A HIGHER QUALITY STEAM (DRY). PLEASE GIVE YOUR OPINION ON THIS.

I HAVE ALSO READ:
"The lower the velocity, the drier the steam, and the better the steam boiler. Choose a boiler with the lowest possible exit velocity."

Brad White_9

My Personal Opinion

is that the guidelines are just that. Nothing says you cannot be more conservative so why push the limits? For a few feet of larger pipe, you will have drier steam, lower pressures, quieter performance, for the life of the system. Why cut it closely? You are only installing a system once.

The graveyard is full of dead heroes.