What is this Trane Vapor/Vacuum Part?
I just looked at a 1926 Trane vapor/vacuum installation today, and am perplexed. I saw original radiators with no traps, just what is apparently a normal union elbow on the outlet. It looks like the non-valve end of a hot water radiator, but it obviously isn't. So far, I haven't seen many radiators, but none had traps. So what am I looking at? It resembles a Kriebel system, but these elbows have "Trane" cast on them. Are there some kind of "orifice" valves? Or is there something special about these union elbows? Otherwise it's a perfectly normal system with a cylindrical Trane condensate return, Trane main vacuum vent, etc. So what am I looking at?
Comments
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Those are special return elbows Trane used before thermostatic traps. They do much the same thing as a trap. Get this book:
and you'll find them in chapter 15.
All Steamed Up, Inc.
Towson, MD, USA
Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
Oil & Gas Burner Service
Consulting0 -
Thanks, good to know I'm not insane. A copy of the book is on its way.
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Obviously in a vapor system if you have steam reaching the outlet of the radiator something is wrong.
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I wasn't sure if the valves were some sort of graduated or orifice valves, and if any had been replaced with standard valves I'd need to do orifice plates.
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the trane vapor valves can be identified if you look closely but they aren't as obvious as most other styles of vapor valves
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The valves are somewhat special. However, if I recall you can still get vapour system valves — not Trane, but they work just as well. Supply House, I think. They aren't cheap…
But the old ones are probably fine. They don't break. It's only a prblem if some genius has replaced them with regular valves.
In the meantime — get the system pressure down if it isn't already. No more than 8 OUNCES cutout.
Br. Jamie, osb
Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England0 -
Mepco.
Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.0
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