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Convert BACK to Steam?

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SteamCoffee
SteamCoffee Member Posts: 122
in Strictly Steam
Hi, great site! Wondering if anyone can advise me on going BACK to steam from Hot Water.? Just bought a house from 1927 that had a nice 2 pipe system that was converted many years ago to Hot Water. I would prefer to go back to Steam. Its about 3K sq ft and the current Crane Boiler is looking old! Any ideas on where to start? Costs? Boiler recommendations? Thanks! Scott

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  • Brad White
    Brad White Member Posts: 2,399
    edited February 2011
    Inventory

    You like challenges, don't you? I admire your willingness to do this. Have never actually seen it done that I recall.



    If I were approaching this, I would make an inventory of radiators, traps (spares laying about), odd devices that may still be there and abandoned), to determine just what type of system it once was. May be a Moline, Trane Vapor or a host of other types, or it may be a garden variety 2-pipe steam system. Could also be a vapor system without traps but with radiator returns running individually, express to a wet return (below the waterline). A bit of sleuthing in your future.



    With your radiator inventory (converted to EDR or area of heating surface), I would also diagram the piping sizes to and from each, if they are original. That can give clues to what the system once was. For example, relatively small return lines indicate a likely vacuum system.



    But let's say you have no vestige of old steam except for some main pipes and radiators with plugged steam vent tappings. (Figure there has to be SOMETHING to tell you it was once steam!)



    Then you can start from scratch, salvage what you can and pipe it up in your image.



    The potentially good news is, if your system was filled with water, the piping might be in good shape, denied free oxygen for the years it was a water system.



    This is just my broad opinion of approach. Others, many others on this site will have different and likely better views and specifics. Sounds like a project to share with us as you progress. Where are you located?
    "If you do not know the answer, say, "I do not know the answer", and you will be correct!"



    -Ernie White, my Dad
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 18,197
    Take some pictures

    of the boiler, piping around the boiler, ends of mains and some radiators. Post them here, and let's take a look at it.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • SteamCoffee
    SteamCoffee Member Posts: 122
    Wow...

    Wow! Thats fast! A few things to add. 1) The 2 pipe system now has black pipe to the radiators, the only clue to its past is that the supply AND the return to the Radiators are on the bottom. All appears original. 2) There isn't much lying around, a curse AND a blessing! Allows me to taylor make the design. 3) I just have to figure out WHAT the best alternative is. 4) The main reason for the return to steam is the prior house had it, the wife now wants it, 'nuff said! 5) I am in Denver 6) Pics in a week or so, as I am on the road. BTW Any boiler recommendations? Thanks again! Scott
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 18,197
    Are the original supply and return pipes

    both the same size? If so, it was gravity hot-water rather than steam. Still a good system. 
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Rod
    Rod Posts: 2,067
    Back to Steam

    Hi- I might first mention that the guys that answered you, Brad and Steamhead, are two of a probably very small group of people nation wide that could design a residential steam system from scratch so I would put a lot of regard on their suggestions.

    I'm a homeowner so can only give you suggestions based on my very limited knowledge of steam systems. I think your quest to change back to steam is probably very doable and if I was in your situation the first thing I would do it get Dan's book "The Lost Art of Steamheating" It's available in a package with several other very good books at the following link to the Shop section of this website

    http://www.heatinghelp.com/products/Super-Deals/14/129/A-Steamy-Deal

    or you can purchase it individually.

    What boiler you would want to use is somewhat dependent on what the size your new steam system turns out to be so you need to work that out first before researching the boiler. You didn't mention whether you were going to use an oil or gas burner and this can also make a difference as to what boiler you would want to use.

    I've attached a form to help figure out the EDR of your present radiators. Finding the total EDR of the proposed system is probably one of the first things you will need to work out. Are each of them now warming the rooms sufficiently using hot water? Using the present radiators, steam will heat the rooms more but this can easily be controlled through the use of orifices and/or TRVs.

    You will need to survey your piping and make a drawing with pipe sizes/lengths etc. and in what direction the pipes are sloped. I've attached a chart to help you determine pipes sizing. Measure the circumference of the pipe and then consult the chart and that will give the pipe size.

    As was mentioned take some pictures of the present radiators and boiler piping and we'll do our best to help you.

    - Rod
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