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Large really old hot water boiler.

Arthurjay
Arthurjay Member Posts: 2
Has anyone encountered an old hot water boiler that had an integral, or internal air separator and expansion tank?
Don’t know the brand.

Comments

  • dopey27177
    dopey27177 Member Posts: 887
    Yes. The boiler manufacturers still make an internal air separator. This usually has a 1/2" or 3/4" tapping where an automatic vent valve can be installed.

    The best way to remove system air continuously is to have a system of piping that incorporates pumping away,

    see attachment

    Jake
  • Arthurjay
    Arthurjay Member Posts: 2
    Yes, I am familiar with convention, and some boilers had air scoops. But have you seen any with an integral expansion tank?
  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 2,762
    What do you consider old ?
    I have enough experience to know , that I dont know it all
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Pics please!
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Solid_Fuel_Man
  • Alan Welch
    Alan Welch Member Posts: 266
    On older systems the expansion tank was often located in the attic.
  • dopey27177
    dopey27177 Member Posts: 887
    I found in my old files an easier to understand a pumping away drawing. This drawing is a bit easier to visualize pumping away.


    Jake



  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 7,725
    edited June 2020
    I installed a Hydrotherm Celtic wall-hung boiler 30 years ago that included a flat expansion tank tucked behind the boiler heat exchanger. There are two for sale on eBay right now.

    Not a "Large" but this is the only one I ever encountered with the integral expansion tank
    Edward F Young. Retired HVAC ContractorSpecialized in Residential Oil Burner and Hydronics
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 5,804
    There never was such an animal.
    Internal scoop? Sure. No internal expansion tank though. Not mass produced anyway.
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 7,725
    edited June 2020
    @HVACNUT ... Never say never...
    That orange thing in the picture is the expansion tank. It is not inside the boiler heat exchanger... it IS inside the white metal cabinet. I remember the front had a 18" wide x 30ish high white cover with a glass access door that reminded me of a microwave oven. My customer was very impressed with the "modern look" as it hung on the chimney in the kitchen.

    This is the picture of the boiler that the customer looks at every day. (from the cover of the I/O manual)

    @Arthurjay gave us a choice of internal or integral

    I also remember that it was an import by Hydrotherm. I could not get parts after 15 years or so. I needed to replace the expansion tank and it was unavailable so I needed to add a #15 Extrol in the piping below the boiler. The customer was not happy with that repair so I had a sheet metal fabricator make an appliance white metal cover 18" wide that went to the floor to cover the piping and tank. Made it look like one large appliance from the floor to the top of boiler cabinet.
    Edward F Young. Retired HVAC ContractorSpecialized in Residential Oil Burner and Hydronics
    Brewbeer
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 5,804
    > @EdTheHeaterMan said:
    > @HVACNUT ... Never say never...
    > That orange thing in the picture is the expansion tank. It is not inside the boiler heat exchanger... it IS inside the white metal cabinet. I remember the front had a 18" wide x 30ish high white cover with a glass access door that reminded me of a microwave oven. My customer was very impressed with the "modern look" as it hung on the chimney in the kitchen.
    >
    > This is the picture of the boiler that the customer looks at every day. (from the cover of the I/O manual)
    > (Image)
    >
    > @Arthurjay gave us a choice of internal or integral
    >
    > I also remember that it was an import by Hydrotherm. I could not get parts after 15 years or so. I needed to replace the expansion tank and it was unavailable so I needed to add a #15 Extrol in the piping below the boiler. The customer was not happy with that repair so I had a sheet metal fabricator make an appliance white metal cover 18" wide that went to the floor to cover the piping and tank. Made it look like one large appliance from the floor to the top of boiler cabinet.


    The topic is "Large really old hot water boiler ". That's what I was going by. Some mod cons have had integral expansion tanks crammed in them for years.
  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 2,762
    The steel York boilers from in the early 50's and maybe The GE's held air to use for expansion ..
    I have enough experience to know , that I dont know it all
    Alan Welch