Long Beach Ed's Radiator Lab

soot_seeker_2

The system is in my 3,000 sq ft stucco 1909 colonial. The original one-pipe steam was installed in 1926. There are 11 standing radiators and a five section Series 8 Dunkirk boiler with a 4" header.

By installing Hoffman Paul Vents and running them to a small vacuum pump (ebay) the distribution was INCREDIBLY improved and boiling time VASTLY reduced.

We've experimented with a "heat-timer" type (variable speed motor-timer) device to run the pump for a variable period (depending on outside temperature) before each boiler firing. Thus, in theory you can produce as low as 160 degree steam on a mild day.

Right now were wrestling with the nuts-and-bolts of the experiment, namely hunting down and repairing vacuum leaks. We've come to learn that if there is any leak, no matter how small, vacuum will find it.

But we did see potential for HUGE savings with the system. For example, full heating of all radiators went from 17 mintues on the conventional system to three minutes with the vacuum.

The lab work continues under the cloak of high security, as the Dear Wife feels there are better things that I should be doing with my time, like painting the place.

Scientists have long been so misunderstood.

Ed

soot_seeker_2

Check this out...

Here's our Radiator and heating lab in Long Beach, New York...

Note the state of the art mercury thermometers applied to the heating appurtenances to capture scientific data for study.

Long Beach Ed

That is GREAT how old is that photo 20? 50? 100 years old??? thanks for the laugh

Long Beach Ed

Were did you find that photo??? thats cool how hot were the raidiators???? what did you find out ; )

soot_seeker_2

Really Warren Webster & Company

Webster ran this lab in Camden, New Jersey in 1922. Notice there are two of each radiator for comparison? And check out the sight glasses... And that rack on the wall -- see whats on the wall? -- Traps! Hindreds of traps!

Bob W._3

Ed, see those 100 sq. footers in the photo? I've got three of those exact same rads to yank out of my third floor and sell, either as radiators or as cast iron. They are nice looking but there is no market for them in southern Minnesota.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Steam vs. vapor?

soot_seeker_2

The photo is from Warren Webster & Company's "Steam Heating," published in 1922 by A Eugene Michael, Advertising Engineers. The text explains that the laboratory is used to test steam traps and goes on to explain the various tests.

We have a collection of these old heating books. Before Dan came along and wrote his, the only way you could learn about this stuff was to comb the old book stores for thes stuff. This is one of the better ones.

Long Beach Ed

Long Beach Ed

I'll bet

No manufacturers do this today.

Mad Dog_2

Aw shucks ED..............................

I was ready to ask for a field trip to check that out. I would've taken you to Billy's Beach Cafe and treated you to many a fine pint. Mad Dog

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Long Beach Ed

Come visit...

...anytime.

But all I got to show you is my 1970's Dunkirk Series 8 with a 1990's era Paul System and vacuum pump.

Mad Dog_2

I'd love to see that too

Sounds like a retrofit/experiment that you did. So, how does she work? Mad Dog

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John S.

I'm curious, Ed...

What are you using for a vacuum pump?

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