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The King Of All Crossover Traps!

Steamhead
Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
This is the Roland Park Condominium in north Baltimore, built in the 1920s. The first pic is the impressive front view. Look thru the archway and you can see the rear section of the building in the distance.



This system is currently a vacuum-return setup with mostly Trane traps, but was originally a Kreibel. We found and identified some of the old hardware. The boiler room is in the rear- currently housing two Weil-McLain 10-88s, and the original Smith Twin Tubular coal-converted unit that is abandoned in place. The original boiler also heated a garage in the rear of the building, but those lines have been disconnected since we now have automotive antifreeze.



We started working on this system a few months ago. Today's job was to vent the steam main- some 270 feet of 10-inch pipe running to the front of the building thru a tunnel-like hallway.
All Steamed Up, Inc.
Towson, MD, USA
Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
Oil & Gas Burner Service
Consulting

Comments

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    edited August 2012
    We found the biggest thermostatic trap available

    a Nicholson C73HC. This thing has 1-1/2" threaded connections and an 1-1/4" orifice in the seat! You can also get it in 2" as the C83HC, which still has the 1-1/4" orifice. Naturally, you don't get the full 1-1/4" flow since the trap element hovers over the seat so it will close properly- but this is true of any thermostatic trap.



    The principle is the same one used in old Vapor systems with traps, which sometimes used radiator traps as main vents, routing the air into the dry return. Same thing happens here, but on steroids.



    We had a 2-inch drip near the end of the main to work with, that fed into an 1-1/4" F&T trap. We cut a tee into the drip line coming off the dirt leg and fed the Nicholson from that. The condensate continues to the F&T but the air can jump up and pass thru the Nicholson. The tee is 2-inch all the way around, and the reduction from 2" to 1-1/2" takes place in a reducing ell above the tee. In this way we reduce the velocity of the air as it leaves the main drip, so the water won't be pulled up toward the Nicholson.



    This setup lets each trap do what it does best- the F&T handles the condensate, the thermostatic handles the air. We're not worried about such a large thermostatic trap wire-drawing its seat, since it handles little if any condensate.



    We also included a trap-testing tee with boiler drain, and a plugged tee on the steam side where we can install a gauge if we need to.



    Before installing this trap we timed how long it took steam to reach this point after reaching the header drip in the boiler room- just over 11 minutes. We got it down to just under 7 minutes with the new crossover trap online. This doesn't sound like much, but it means the system will balance a lot better, and the steam will reach the Heat-Timer sensor more quickly- it is mounted at the front of the building, as far away from the boiler as possible, as it should be.



    These traps are definitely not cheap, and Spence (who owns Nicholson) took their sweet time shipping this one- some two months from when we ordered it! They really need to work on improving their customer service.



    But it was the right part for the job, and required a lot less piping than a row of smaller thermostatics would have. We'll see how much gas they save this winter.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
    Sweet

    What are the ratings on that crossover trap?
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    3555 pounds of condensate per hour

    at 1 PSIG ΔP. I don't have the air-venting throughput, no one rates their traps that way- maybe Gerry and Steve could work on measuring these big traps.... pleeeeez?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
    Geez

    Looking at their charts...



    An open 1" pipe flows 11 CFM at a little less than 1/4 PSI.



    So, you figure...1 1/4 orifice....1 PSI....



    It would have to be close to 50 CFM or more. Holy cow!
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,367
    Excellent!

    I would love to see that one in person. 90 years old and still purring along. And you've made it better than ever. Good job guys.



    That drip looks like it might be a head knocker. I guess the dead men were a bit shorter than the average man today.
    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
  • gerry gill
    gerry gill Member Posts: 3,078
    Thats really cool !

    I had no idea that a thermostatic trap that gargantuan even existed..1 1/4'' orifice..wow.. i dont even think my flow meters could measure something that big..would probably just peg the floating ball to the roof of the device..how did you find that bad boy?
    gwgillplumbingandheating.com
    Serving Cleveland's eastern suburbs from Cleveland Heights down to Cuyahoga Falls.

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    edited August 2012
    As I said earlier

    the trap element's plunger restricts some of the flow since it has to be positioned to close properly. All thermostatic traps are like this. It wouldn't flow the same as an open 1-1/4" pipe, but it is still the biggest available.



    We found it the modern way- went to each trap manufacturer's online catalog. No other manufacturer had anything with anywhere near that size orifice.



    Gerry, maybe you can find a bigger flow meter?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • SWEI
    SWEI Member Posts: 7,356
    hallway photo

    Is all that yellow spaghetti gas line?  I see more than a dozen, and they look like they might be 2" pipe.
  • MikeyB
    MikeyB Member Posts: 696
    yellow pipe

    Nice work Frank, that yellow pipe almost looks like a type of innerduct for fiber/cat 5 cable etc.
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,513
    Endlessly fascinaing.

    Never gets boring, does it? Thanks for sharing! 
    Retired and loving it.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Yup, it's spaghetti/CSST

    the gas company made them consolidate all their meters in one location, so there's spaghetti all thru the basement. Not our work, obviously. 
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Yup- that's why we do this work

    and if it weren't for a book called "The Lost Art of Steam Heating".......



    To get an idea of the fuel savings potential, the 10-88 boiler has a gas input of 3,100,000 BTU per hour. Dividing that by 60 (minutes in an hour) and multiplying by 4 (minutes we should save on each firing cycle) gives 206,666 BTU - just over two therms less for each firing cycle. The number of cycles per day depends on how cold it is, but those therms will add up over time- and the building will be more comfortable, so they might even be able to retune the Heat-Timer to shorten the cycle even more.



    While I think of it, Dan- there is no vacuum equalizing line on this system. We know why it needs one, but one resident (an engineer) is wondering about the dip we usually find in the equalizing line that creates a water seal. We haven't been able to find any documentation as to why this dip/water seal is needed- do you have anything on it?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • SWEI
    SWEI Member Posts: 7,356
    consolidating meters

    I've asked the gas company here about remote-reading gas meters and they look at me like I'm from Mars.  Does anyone do this along the lines of the electrical submetering we do in multitenant commercial buildings?
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,513
    Only purpose

    Was to keep the check valve wet. I remember asking that a long time ago. It took me a while to get an answer, and when I did, I just laughed.
    Retired and loving it.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    But it's the details like that

    which make or break a job. Thanks!
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    edited August 2012
    Not that I've seen

    the usual setup is either a meter for each unit and a "public" meter for the boiler and water heater, or just one meter for the whole building. In both cases the gas company owns the meters. The gas company does use remote reading.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    If you ever come to Baltimore

    get in touch.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Gordo
    Gordo Member Posts: 856
    FLIR of the Mother Trap

    Here is a FLIR of the Mega cross-over trap.  As you can see, the outlet of this trap is much cooler than that of the F&T trap as it is only passing non-condense-able gasses.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    "Reducing our country's energy consumption, one system at a time"
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Baltimore, MD (USA) and consulting anywhere.
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/all-steamed-up-inc
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    the old swing checks

    would not seal pushed by a gas like steam but could be pushed by the water. By the time the water was squeezed past the leaking check valve (as most swing checks do leak past some as they are not perfect seals) the vacuum cycle would be over. It is harder to push water through a hole then steam. Or I could be all wet.

    Awesome and inspiring work as always Frank. Making it even better then the Dead Men did it.
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    edited September 2012
    "It is harder to push water through a hole then steam"

    Just occurred to me- the same is true of fuel oil. That's why we don't use compression fittings on oil lines- they can leak air (which is a gas, just like steam) into the line, but not let oil leak out.



    So you're not "all wet"- never thought you were, and this proves it.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    Thanks Frank

    That is one of the best compliments I have gotten.
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Update

    the heating season has started, and they had to dial back the Heat-Timer. The entire building was overheating instead of just those parts near the boiler room.



    Looks promising.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • gerry gill
    gerry gill Member Posts: 3,078
    Thats great news!

    They should be saving money now..it also helps prove the massive venting theory really works.
    gwgillplumbingandheating.com
    Serving Cleveland's eastern suburbs from Cleveland Heights down to Cuyahoga Falls.

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Update #2

    Don't have the final numbers and degree-day corrections yet, but this one looks like a winner.



    One corner of the building was a bit slower than the rest, so we added another crossover trap- a Nicholson A53 this time, next to a Sarco F&T which we moved over to accommodate the new tees. We also gave the Sarco a brand-new faceplate kit.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Dave in QCA
    Dave in QCA Member Posts: 1,785
    Fantastic!

    As always, amazing work!  Thanks for sharing the project via pictures.
    Dave in Quad Cities, America
    Weil-McLain 680 with Riello 2-stage burner, December 2012. Firing rate=375MBH Low, 690MBH Hi.
    System = Early Dunham 2-pipe Vacuo-Vapor (inlet and outlet both at bottom of radiators) Traps are Dunham #2 rebuilt w. Barnes-Jones Cage Units, Dunham-Bush 1E, Mepco 1E, and Armstrong TS-2. All valves haveTunstall orifices sized at 8 oz.
    Current connected load EDR= 1,259 sq ft, Original system EDR = 2,100 sq ft Vaporstat, 13 oz cutout, 4 oz cutin - Temp. control Tekmar 279.
    http://grandviewdavenport.com
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    edited April 2013
    Ran the numbers today

    fuel consumption didn't change from last season, but the heat distributed much better. In other words, the fuel wasted thru open windows now goes to the far end of the building where it's needed. They did pay less for gas this year, but that was due to a 14% rate decrease.



    There is still work to be done on this system- in particular the boiler pressure controls, activating lo-hi-lo and tuning the burners. Presently another company services the boilers but we're working on that. We'll keep tracking this system.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • vaporvac
    vaporvac Member Posts: 1,520
    Degree Day equivlent?

    Although consumption was the same, did the calculations account at all for the difference in temps. Here in the Ohio river valley, last year was very mild with a very early spring. From March onwards it was in the 80s. This year, it's more normal ie. cold all winter with a damp, dreary Spring.
    Two-pipe Trane vaporvacuum system; 1466 edr
    Twinned, staged Slantfin TR50s piped into 4" header with Riello G400 burners; 240K lead, 200K lag Btus. Controlled by Taco Relay and Honeywell RTH6580WF
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    edited April 2013
    Yes we did

    it ran between 13.5-13.8 therms per degree day. This did not include the average 700 therms per month used for the domestic hot-water system.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • vaporvac
    vaporvac Member Posts: 1,520
    I figured you did

    Oh well! I was trying. I am surprised there wasn't a difference, but as you say there is one in delivery and comfort. I'm sure if you're able to make those additional changes, there will be some reduction.
    Two-pipe Trane vaporvacuum system; 1466 edr
    Twinned, staged Slantfin TR50s piped into 4" header with Riello G400 burners; 240K lead, 200K lag Btus. Controlled by Taco Relay and Honeywell RTH6580WF
  • The savings may be hiding.....

    If the units have indiviudal gas meters, you won't pick up the reduction in gas usage due to  people not using stoves for heating.  Also, you won't see the reduciion in electrical use because electric heaters are no  longer needed.
    The Steam Whisperer (Formerly Boilerpro)

    Chicago's Steam Heating Expert





    Noisy Radiators are a Cry for Help
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Every job is different

    so it's hard to predict how the savings will work out.



    Dave, yes the units do have individual gas and electric meters. I didn't recall seeing space heaters though.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
This discussion has been closed.