indirect coil above boiler water line

Tim Gardner

The oil company hooked up the burner and fired it up today. They used a hose connected from the house water to the drain valve on line from the boiler to the indirect to fill the coil. I heard the air bubble out the drain valve on the return line into a bucket.

We've got hot water!

Thanks again for the help.

Tim Gardner

Is the indirect too high

For an Alliance 53 gallon indirect with a Burnham V84 steamer, someone pointed out to me that the inlet to the coil for the Alliance is above the normal water line of the boiler, and that air could get trapped in the coil.

Can this happen?

Is it a problem if it does happen?

Is there a way to avoid it other than raising the boiler or lowering the indirect?

Al Letellier_9

indirect above water line

This is a normal situation when an indirect is used with a steam boiler. We do it all the time (just with a different indirect). Properly installed with the right hardware and valves and fittings, once the coil is filled and air tight, it will stay that way. If air gets in there, no circulation will take place and some steam could get it and flash. If that happens, you will know it.
Make sure the installation was done as outlined in the manufacturers instructions and everything should be fine.

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Unknown

Tim

If the piping out of the back of the V84 to the Indirect drops down near the floor and then back up and the circulator is on the supply there should be little or no captive air in the coil. As Art said, if you follow the guidelines set forth in the Indirect Manual you should get good operation with little need to purge the coil. Just make sure you provide isolation valves and purge valve(s) to be able to purge out the Indirect Loop with street pressure when necessary.I have attached a drawing from that manual. The 1" tapping for the indirect supply is on the rear of the V8 boiler and there is a 1/2" tapping for an aquastat right above it. Hope this helps.


Glenn Stanton

Manager of Training

Burnham Hydronics

U.S. Boiler Co., Inc.

Tim Gardner

good. Thanks for the explanation.

Tim Gardner

It is done as you suggest and according to the manual, and I have all the isolation and purge valves shown (and then some) . Thanks for the quick reply and confirmation.