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Check out this beautiful old steam boiler I worked on.

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Glenn Harrison_2
Glenn Harrison_2 Member Posts: 845
in THE MAIN WALL
The pictures below are of a 99 year old original International Economy Steam Boiler connected to a Broomell distribution system. This home owner takes incredible pride in his old steamer, as you can see by the custom paint job and the spotless boiler room it is located in.



I was there because after he replaced his thermostat he tested his L.W.C.O. and found it not working. Wound up replacing the M&M # 67. He is also one of the few steam boiler owners that actually flushes his L.W.C.O. weekly as recommended.



And if your wondering why he choose pink, he said his boiler reminded him of the Pepto  Bismol stomach, so he went with P.B. pink.

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  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
    edited August 2009
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    Awesome!

    What kind of stack temps does that old beauty have? Did you baffle the flueways? Is the condensing radiator still there and is it still connected to the chimney?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Glenn Harrison_2
    Glenn Harrison_2 Member Posts: 845
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    Will test combustion later.

    Frank, I didn't get to test the burner combustion wise. We will do that in a couple of months when it is time for his contract P.M.



    Forgive my ignorance, but where would that radiator be. If it was by the boiler, it is not there any more. I did'nt see anything connected to the chimney, other than the flue. I also did not see any baffles, but I didn't look to hard either, had to many A/C calls waiting.



    I need to break out my L.A.O.S.H. and read up on the Broomell system again.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
    edited August 2009
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    Condensing radiator

    would be on the ceiling near the boiler. The dry returns end in the regulator (vertical cylinder that says "Broomell Vapor System) and the water is dumped in the regulator where it can return to the boiler. An air pipe leads from the regulator to the condensing radiator, so any steam that gets that far will be condensed and returned. From there, another air pipe leads to the chimney flue. This allows the flue draft to help pull air out of the system.



    That boiler is likely an early 3-pass design. You can use bricks as baffles to slow down the hot flue gases and make them rub the cast-iron better. If you have the Audel oil burner book written by Frank Graham, you can find baffling diagrams therein. You must maintain a slight minimum draft over the fire, -.02 is plenty. It would be interesting to see a before-and-after comparison of the combustion test results, as I did when I put the NX on my boiler.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Glenn Harrison_2
    Glenn Harrison_2 Member Posts: 845
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    Radiator not there any more

    The condensing radiator is not there any more. There is an open 1 1/4" tap in the top of the regulator. My guess it was removed when the gas conversion was done and the chimney connection with draft hood was redone.



     I would like to see the numbers when the P.M. is done. I will say that from a cold start the boiler heated almost to the point of not being able to touch it in about 10 minutes, which I thought was pretty good.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
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    That's your main vent, then

    might not be a bad idea to put something in there, like a pair of Gorton #2 vents, so some knucklehead won't see it and plug it. Ask me how I know this can happen......
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Tombig_8
    Tombig_8 Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2009
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    Nice

    It's a beauty, Glenn. Good to see you're still out and about.



    Tom Goebig
This discussion has been closed.

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