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Condensate amount return???

Casinojunkie
Casinojunkie Member Posts: 36
in THE MAIN WALL
How do you figure the amount of condensate and time it takes to return to boiler? If the boiler has 10 gal water capicity, you have 7 medium size radiators and 150 feet of 3" pipe and ell's on a one pipe system. Trying to figure if I need a condensate tank and pump. Thanks

Comments

  • Bob W._3
    Bob W._3 Member Posts: 561


    Believe the amount of water turned to steam is a constant, according to Dan's TLAOSH, at 1/2gal./min/1000 sq.ft. EDR. So, if you have a boiler rated at 500 sq. ft. the amount of water leaving the boiler would be 1/4 gal per minute. Whether it all comes back and how fast it comes back is probably system dependent.

    Also your boiler has a total water capacity and a steaming capacity, which may or may not be in the manual.
  • Robert O'Connor_12
    Robert O'Connor_12 Member Posts: 728
    Condensate

    Most steam boiler manufacturers have the chart in the installation instructions. Just shooting from the hip, I'd say you don't need one given such a tiny boiler. If by chance through metering the amount and time for which it takes finds that you may need one, my gut just tells me the system is dirty and should be cleaned.

    Robert O'Connor/NJ
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I guess the question is....

    Is this boiler already installed and if it is, are you having difficulties with frequent low water conditions, frequent water addition, flooding of boiler or in general....a misbalanced system due to slow return of the condensate? The answer as to whether a replacement (smaller) boiler needs a boiler feed tank usually lies with a couple of factors. First is the boiler size in BTU's or its ability to boil off the water into steam as compared to its available water to make steam. Second is the condition, pitch and lengths of return piping.

    Most smaller systems perform with an approximate return time of 15 minutes or less and the return water sitting in the boiler and return piping will remain somewhat stable. If you double that return time due to plugged return lines, then you will need a buffer zone (boiler feed tank) sized properly for that longer return time. A boiler feed tank for a 30 minute return time will need to store twice as much condensate as one sized for a 15 minute return time. Hope this helps.


    Glenn Stanton

    Manager of Training

    Burnham Hydronics

    U.S. Boiler Co., Inc.
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