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Convert to vaccuum system?

Has anyone converted a one-pipe system to vaccuum?  How involved is it?  Is the improved efficiency worth it?

Bill

Comments

  • Unknown
    edited November 2009
    Paul System?

    Another poster was interested in doing a Paul System. They still make Paul valves for radiators.  They are supposedly much more efficient.  Look back a few days to last week there was some discussion there on the Paul System.

    - Rod
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    That thread

    is called "Paul System Retrofit" and it's several pages down from here. For some reason I couldn't paste the link- but you'll find it.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Patrick_North
    Patrick_North Member Posts: 249
    I'm curious, too

    I can see restoring a vacuum system, but I'm curious about why you would convert, too. What little research I've done suggests the Paul system was used to augment existing one pipe setups- would this benefit still apply with more modern setups?

    I wonder- with good main venting and insulation, would it be worth the $$$ in a residential settion?

    Patrick
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    It would have to have

    an electrically driven vacuum pump, since there may not be enough steam pressure to operate an ejector. When the Paul and other air-line systems came out, they were originally used on systems that produced higher-pressure steam for power or process work, which is why the ejectors worked so well.



    I have a feeling someone, somewhere, is going to build a modern Paul system in the near future. In the old days the savings were something like 35%.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
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