Second floor rads

ttekushan_3

I have only a few hints without seeing the system. Is it possible that a portion of the wet return was actually dry before the lowering process and was venting pathway for certain branches of the system?

Are these second floor radiators fed off the same main as the first floor radiators?
Were there originally end of main vents, or was there the typical central return vent?
Annnnnd... In lowering the wet return did you create a direct connection between steam supply and return systems above the water line? If the endofmain vents close and then the steam backs its way into the end of the return, the vents there will also close. This may take long enough to happen that the first floor rads are largely saturated, but the more distant ones (vertically) may get stopped in their tracks due to the premature closure of return vents.

Just some thoughts. -[another]Terry

PS Another wonderful company from Cleveland's heyday, when we still made stuff!

Terry_17

Second floor rads cooler than first floor rads

I recently lowered our wet return and am experiencing some differences in the way the system is now operating, both good and ??? This is a two pipe Mouat Vapor system with (4) #2 Gorton vents now re-piped and located 15" from the end of both the supply and return main drips.
The system is running very quietly with the vaporstat set at 2oz on the high side. The rads all have water seal traps and properly sized orifices at the valves.
The first floor rads are heating completely through and the second floor rads are only heating about a third through. I realize with orifices the rads should only partially heat, but why would we be experiencing the difference between both floors? Does it mean more venting is needed or another issue altogether? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Terry

Ron Schroeder

Venting the riser near the

radiator won't hurt but with a high of 2oz you might not have enough pressure to overcome system losses try 4oz and 8oz and see if it improves.

Unknown

Terry...........

It`s pretty late now, but in the morning, if you seek-out a guy called "Steamhead", I`m sure he can really help you with your problem!

Terry_17

Thanks Terry

The reason I lowered the wet return and extended the drip lines was to place the crossover between the two, below the water line and stop steam from rising back into the return and closing the return vents.
The system has two supply mains, first main with (3) 1st floor rads and (2) 2nd floor rads. Second supply main has (5) 1st floor rads and (3) 2nd floor rads. Both mains and returns come together about six feet before the single drips for both supply and return.
The supply and return main each had a vent (1 each) off a tee at the drips, most likely the original vents. Each now have (2) #2 Gorton's located 15" ahead of the drips and 6" above the mains.
Not sure if this adds to our problem, but the boiler is about 75,000 to 100,000 over sized. Thanks again!

Terry_17

Thanks Bruce

I did have the vaporstat set at 8 to begin with and lowered it thinking it would resolve the problem. Thanks again!

Steamhead (in transit)

Here I am

Terry, the problem may be that the steam mains join together above the waterline. If one main fills faster than the other it will shut the vent before the other main is full of steam. Give each steam main its own drip and vent. It's OK for the dry returns to remain as they are.

If this doesn't help, take the slow rads out and clean the little air holes in the return elbows.

If this doesn't help, you may have to orifice the supply connections on the first-floor rads. Not sure if the original Mouat valves had orificing capability, if not you can use orifice disks that fit into the valve unions.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Terry_17

Thanks Steamhead

I currently have orifice disks in all the valves (Hoffman) between the unions. So I will remove those currently installed in the 2nd floor radiators. While there I will also check and clean the return elbows. As for re-piping the mains so both would have drips, can do but not real anxious after just having those areas apart to properly re-pipe for vents, drips and the wet return. But if that is the only option...will do!
Again thanks...for your help! Terry