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Need some advice on optimizing my Mains

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JackT
JackT Member Posts: 5
in Strictly Steam

Just installed a new steam boiler-1 pipe system and I'm in the process of tweaking it to make sure it doesn't suffer the same fate as my previous one( not at least while I'm alive) which was here when I moved in 15yrs ago. So far so good. No complaints. We'll see. Here's my situation with the mains. I have 2 mains from the riser to the end of the line

1)25 ft 2" pipe——.023 cubic feet of air in each linear foot on a 2" pipe would be .575 per the Gill and Pajek manual

2)27 ft 2" pipe———.624 cubic feet of air

at the very end of each main is a Gorton D vent in a 1/8 tapping. I'm sure I can do better but the problem is space so a Gorton #2 is out of the question. The piping must be the original being that it was covered in asbestos(gone) when I looked at the house, so that would make the piping 100 yrs old. I'm reluctant to tap a bigger hole because of this and even if I could it would be to enlarge the hole that's already there. There is no space in that are where I could work with a drill. Here are some pics

20250107_104400.jpg 20250109_131002.jpg

This is what I have to work with.Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Comments

  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 2,204

    With a short nipple and an expansion coupling to 1/2" you could put whatever you want there. You seem to have room for at least a #1

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
    JackT
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 27,391

    And if you want more you can continue going out sideways with nipples and Ts and stick a few more on there. Just make sure the sideways extension is level or sloping back to the main a bit.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    JackT
  • JackT
    JackT Member Posts: 5
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1833302#Comment_1833302

    Thanks

  • JackT
    JackT Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2025
  • JackT
    JackT Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2025
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1833317#Comment_1833317

    What is your opinion on widening that hole to 1/4 and/or the number of vents to add per my calculations

  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 8,819

    The D is the same venting size as a #1 so you already have the equivalent of a #1 on each main

    Others will likely disagree, but in my opinion, based on how fast steam actually moves down a pipe on a call for heat (even an insulated one), a #2 is more venting than will help you for your lengths of 2" mains

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • JackT
    JackT Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2025
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1833354#Comment_1833354

    There's no room for a #2 anyway. Btw. Love your Youtube channel and the video on how to make your boiler last forever. Great work

    ethicalpaul
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,203

    Drill a new hole in a different location and add another vent if you need to. One vent will close first when the steam gets there but thats fine.

    I prefer to drill and tap a fitting as they are usually thicker than the pipe.

    I would be cautious about extending 1/8" or 1/4" pipe too much or increasing it to 1/2". Too much weight and can be easy to break off especially if not supported.

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