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BromoSeltzer Tower Steam Line Tour With Infrared Video Camera

Gordo
Gordo Member Posts: 856
Shown here is a quick infrared video tour of the top the steam supply lines that feed the downward steam supplies in the Bromoseltzer Tower in Baltimore, Md.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek-XHAOgSvk
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

Comments

  • Phil53
    Phil53 Member Posts: 73
    Thanks for sharing this. Too bad we don't build things like this anymore. Corporations don't seem to want to pay taxes or hire Americans anymore, much less create architectural treasures like this. If I ever get to Baltimore will try to see this building. In our little city (Aurora, IL) we had a district steam set up from the local power company to heat buildings in our downtown area. They closed the plant in the early 60's and all the buildings had to install boilers. Since the steam pipes ran under the sidewalks, never had to deal with snow in the winter. Environmentally this makes so much sense but we seem to want to go backwards instead of forward. Hope Baltimore will be able to keep and maintain their system. Once again thanks for sharing. BTW is Bromo still in Baltimore or does it still exist?
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,022
    great tour, thanks. A high tech look at the color of steam.
    Why does the clock face show so warm, heated by the nearby steam lines?
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    Gordo
  • MilanD
    MilanD Member Posts: 1,160
    Beautiful! Thanks for sharing! Is this on districts steam or is there a boiler in the basement? I'm curiois, do you recall what the op pressure is and is this 2 pipe or 1 pipe? Just beautiful!
    Gordo
  • Gordo
    Gordo Member Posts: 856
    @MilanD You are most welcome! This is a two pipe system. This is on district steam...please see my other Bromo video for a basement view.
    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
    MilanD
  • Gordo
    Gordo Member Posts: 856
    @hot rod : Those clock faces appear warm because it was a very warm sunny day. A great day to fire up an over-sized and under insulated steam system!
    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
  • MilanD
    MilanD Member Posts: 1,160
    @Gordo - thanks again - just watched it!! Fantastic - like a time machine!
    Gordo
  • Gordo
    Gordo Member Posts: 856
    edited October 2017
    @Phil53 : Where to begin?

    Sadly, Bromoseltzer was bought out by some corporation sometime ago and the downtown factory that the Tower was attached to was demolished in 1968.

    In its place is Baltimore City's most active fire station.

    The local steam utility has changed hands several times in the past several years as they try to milk it for all its worth. Most Baltimore folks are not even aware that there even is a district steam utility here.

    The melting streets and steam bellowing forth from various manhole covers is just backround scenery.

    They had an explosion not far from the Tower earlier this year. New Yorkers would find that grimly amusing.

    H.L. Mencken said that there are two opinions of the Tower: Those that find it beautiful. And those that know better.

    I find it beautiful.
    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
  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,476
    I would love to read Mencken's comments on what goes on these days, it would have to be printed on asbestos.

    Bob
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
    Gordo
  • Mark Eatherton
    Mark Eatherton Member Posts: 5,853
    Great video. It show the MEAN of Mean radiant temperature...

    ME
    It's not so much a case of "You got what you paid for", as it is a matter of "You DIDN'T get what you DIDN'T pay for, and you're NOT going to get what you thought you were in the way of comfort". Borrowed from Heatboy.
    Gordo
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,513
    Gordo, you and Steamhead are true treasures. Thanks.
    Retired and loving it.
    Gordo
  • newagedawn
    newagedawn Member Posts: 586
    great video, a true gem
    "The bitter taste of a poor install lasts far longer than the JOY of the lowest price"
    Gordo
  • Gordo
    Gordo Member Posts: 856
    Thank you all for your views and comments!

    Just want to reiterate a few points here:

    In the video, the first main pipe you see is 4-1/2". Wrought iron (not steel). Installed in 1911.

    All Steamed Up tied a steel 4" riser from the basement onto the 4-1/2" pipe in 2007.

    The 4-1/2" riser starts about the 5th floor (where it used to be fed from the no-longer-existing factory). That riser expands, as it heats up, about 1.75 inches upward, inexorably, and so you can see the expansion loop in the video designed to accommodate this force.
    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
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    Gordo, have you used your FLIR to locate steam leaks?
    I have the very basic hand gun and can see steam wafting out of a leak. From the floor about 12' up. Invisible to the naked eye.
    Very slow and patience process, but there it was.
    That would be a neat video.
  • Gordo
    Gordo Member Posts: 856
    @JUGHNE : Not yet, but yes, if I do, I'll be sure to post it!

    An interesting use for the FLIR is to find and show to the customer hidden heating pipes under the floor and in the walls.
    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
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    Last season while just looking a 2 pipe orifice system with no traps on most of rads, this rad was it's 60% or so heat across as intended. But the FLIR gun showed the empty trap body glowing hot. This system usually has cool condensate returning.
    Going to the basement I could trace the hot/steam return pipe back to the next room that did have a failed trap and no orifice in valve.
    This would have gone unnoticed on this quick walk thru without the FLIR gun.
    Many uses.......not just seeing that the dog's heat signature left where he had been on the couch until I walked into the room. :)
    Gordo