Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Odd Expansion Tank

Dan Foley
Dan Foley Member Posts: 1,258
Dragon and Slavko replaced this boiler today in the Lake Barcroft section of Falls Church.  It had this odd looking expansion tank.  Photos attached.  I’m curious if anyone has any information on this or how exactly it works. 

It is on a single zone fin-tube baseboard system. Boiler supply and return connect to the bottom of the tank.  System supply and return connect to the sides of the tank.  Fill water connects to the side of the tank.  Two air bleeders, one on each side. 

Comments

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,452
    Don't know. Almost like an early LL header. Do you have more than 1 circ? If not their must be a divider in the tank
    mattmia2
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    I think the tank doubles as an air separator. The company that made it was right here in Baltimore.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,572
    It looks like there is a divider about 1/4 of the way from one end. it would do a great job of separating air in to the tank since the water would sit there almost still. probably be a good idea to insulate it.
  • Dan Foley
    Dan Foley Member Posts: 1,258
    Only one pump on the system.  I agree, there must be a divider in the tank. 
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,452
    @Dan Foley

    Are you still using it or did you replace it?
  • Dan Foley
    Dan Foley Member Posts: 1,258
    @ Ed

    i left the tank in place.  I’m still using it. 
  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 2,761
    If it is not broke don't fix .
    I have enough experience to know , that I dont know it all
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,513
    I’ve seen this one a few times. The goal was to use the tank as the air separator. It never caught on, but it works. 
    Retired and loving it.
    mattmia2
  • D.Greenhalgh
    D.Greenhalgh Member Posts: 2
    I saw a similar tank, in Washington, IL, some years back. I believe it was made by B&G, but I am not really sure. Worked great, and as far I know, it is still haulin' the mail.
  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 2,761
    Air was a major problem when the circulators were installed on the return..
    I have enough experience to know , that I dont know it all