Help for converting from oil to coal on a Van-Wert boiler

WPH2205

You will have to remove the oil burner and the combustion chamber, and any insulation that may have been installed. You then would remove the plate that the oil burner was mounted on. Being sure that you have the correct stoker unit for your boiler, you insert the stoker where the oil burner used to be.

Don Smith_2

Converting from oil back to coal Van Wert boiler

Can anyone help? I have a Van Wert boiler that used to burn coal and was switched to oil. I want to convert back to coal. Can anyone tell me how? Thanks, Don

Don Smith_2

Where can I get clamp-on fin for 1 1/4\" pipe

Does anyone know where I can purchase clamp-on fin for 1 1/4" copper pipe? I have a hot water heating system but a lot of fin is missing. Thanks!

Rodney Summers

the big coal come back

My building was built and occupied by a coal dealer. They got it off rail road cars, stocked it, put it into bags, weighed everything and loaded it on trucks. Most of this was meant to happen on indoor docks. Up until the early sixties, not that long ago.

Oddly, they did not initially heat the place. You'd think they'd had installed a coal boiler, but no.

There are some particularities to handling coal, I've read some on many other sites. I am guessing there is a learning curve to handling the fire and maintaining a nice even, open coal bed.

As far as the boiler, the big big big safety issue with a coal fire is running out of water.

If your boiler water line drops below the point where fire tubes become exposed you need to stop everything and let things cool. But add no water until then.

If you, your automatic water feeder, or your condensate pump adds water on an overheating boiler, it will take off on you.

You'll need to keep a very close eye on the water level. Make sure all the devices work and are clean. Don't just trust the sight glass, try the cocks.

If it is a hot water boiler, there is no level issues but you need to make sure water is still there and flowing and not too cold. Extra cold water just stops the combustion and soots up the flues. Stick around 180F.

For the grate opening ratio, talk to your coal dealer about the coal size you plan on purchasing. Look for the primary air (below the grate) and secondary air (above grate)adjustable vents on the doors of your boiler. You'll need to play with both until everything goes right.

I think I remember a factor that says that for each unit area of grate surface, you get to heat 10 to 14 unit area of boiler surface. But you've already got your boiler.

Have fun.

What does coal cost delivered to you? How large a quantity do you need to buy to make it a good deal?

Are you planning on installing another new oil boiler in parallel, for when you're tired of the coal?