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Steam heating

I posted on here around 2 years ago about a plant I took over with steam heating issues. Thanks to some research and some answers I have solved a lot of problems and have been able to reduce my steam pressure to around 18 psi, maintenance had the pressure jacked up fighting air. I'm still working through failed steam traps and some small issues but I'm curious about this configuration. Supply line tees and has a disc type trap that feeds back into the return, this is on a trane climate changer make up air I have others that have this same set up but use a bucket trap. I'm not sure why I need this and the steam seems to return fine with the valves closed to this. Can anyone explain why this is here or what it may be doing. Thanks in advance for all the previous and future help. 

Comments

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,832
    If the steam pressure is being used to lift the condensate to an overhead dry return, you need a trap and probably a check valve too.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    everythinghvac
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,517
    can't see enough of the piping to tell. Is there a control valve and where is it located? Is this piping subject to freezing? They may be using that trap to keep condensate from collecting in front of the control valve? or just to keep the pipes active.
    everythinghvac
  • everythinghvac
    everythinghvac Member Posts: 5
    There is no control valve however there are in other places so could have been planned at some point and not done or plan changed in which case keeping the pipes active would make sense. That's part of the issue I have no plans or idea what was supposed to be so I'm starting from scratch with all of this. Thanks for your thoughts