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1-pipe counterflow steam near boiler piping

ok steamheads. i work @ a local wholesaler that sells boilers. when called upon, i go out to size replacement boilers, etc. i ran across this the other day.the house was built in 1917. it has i-pipe counterflow steam system. the current homeowner purchased the house in nov 2015. the complaint is that there is water hammer the entire time with the heating cycle. pictures are attached. what's the fix.





Comments

  • Paul48
    Paul48 Member Posts: 4,469
    No header.....No equalizer......No drips, other than down the "vertical" header. Too many problems to list.
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,168
    I especially like the photo of the label on the boiler, which says -- at the bottom, I'll grant you -- "follow installation instructions". As @Paul48 said, too many problems to list individually, but basically it comes down to one: the boiler wasn't piped according to the manufacturer's instructions, never mind good practice.

    That may not be all... but would be a good place to start. Water hammer throughout the cycle is the tipoff -- the steam is full of water droplets, and the way it's piped it can't help but be.

    A repipe job is in order here.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    The higher pipe to the left (main or runout?) is definitely sloped to hold water and could be the most hammering.
    But everything is wrong anyway.
    Is it new boiler time or are you just there for advising.
  • johnlemen
    johnlemen Member Posts: 5
    the boiler does work and i did find iom instructions on line. i believe i found how to pipe for this type of system. just looking for advise. thank you
  • Paul48
    Paul48 Member Posts: 4,469
    The anvil chorus will continue until he gets the near boiler piping re-done. A steam pro should evaluate the whole system as well. There may be some other areas that are contributing.
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,453
    I am one of the ones here that will "sometimes" let some questionable piping go if it works.

    NOT THIS ONE!!!!

    Everything is wrong!!
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Agreed.

    Dunkirk gas steam boilers are especially sensitive to improper piping. At minimum that one should have a 2-1/2" header. On the larger sizes we like to use 3" headers- that's the only way to get these boilers to produce dry steam.

    Looks like that one is old enough that it might not be worth repiping- just replace it.
    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
    piping the boiler properly would solve the issue.
    gwgillplumbingandheating.com
    Serving Cleveland's eastern suburbs from Cleveland Heights down to Cuyahoga Falls.

  • New England SteamWorks
    New England SteamWorks Member Posts: 1,505
    Steamhead said:


    Looks like that one is old enough that it might not be worth repiping- just replace it.

    I am with @Steamhead. Replace & repipe. Doubly so because it's a Dunkirk, and this design is very difficult with steam.
    New England SteamWorks
    Service, Installation, & Restoration of Steam Heating Systems
    newenglandsteamworks.com
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    The bigger the steam outlet, the better. Like the Slant/Fin Intrepid series with its 3" outlet:

    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/161736/flir-video-of-slant-fin-intrepid-boiler-fired-with-carlin-ez-gas-burner
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • jumper
    jumper Member Posts: 2,228
    Off topic, don't some counterflow work well with bad piping? If the pipe is big enough......