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Twinned burnham boilers water filling off boiler

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londonrefrig
londonrefrig Posts: 22
in Strictly Steam

I have two atmospheric steam boilers (Burnham 5007 and 5010). Issue is when one boiler is running, the off boiler fills with condensate. Both boilers supply into a welded main 10ft overhead on the horizontal. Trap at each end of main. Boilers have independent feed pumps. Condensate/feedwater tank is across boiler room with a door in the way. So no condensate drain with out pump under 8ft…

I see two solutions, not sure i like either...

First. Install trap on each boiler above water line (possible on equalizer?) with condensate running into a tank and pumping the water into boiler feed tank.

Second. Install check valves in each boiler supply line, possibly right before it enters the main. Concern is any lower, i will get water condensing in the pipes between the main and the valve. Which then needs to be dripped with traps, then pump the condensate back to feed tank... also, the main has the boiler steam supply lines welded into it, and i really dont want to damage those.

Any other good ideas? Or am i missing something? Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • ScottSecor
    ScottSecor Posts: 1,054
    edited February 2025

    This should help.

    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/186553/multiple-steam-boiler-piping-designs
  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Posts: 1,846

    Overflow or "spill" traps slightly above the water line on each boiler, draining to the receiver.

    Otherwise, the "off" boiler will always overflow, being a cold condenser to the steam entering it.

    ethicalpaul
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Posts: 20,945

    Yes, an overflow trap installed on the equalizer is the only fix.

    The idle boiler sits there and is cooler than the operating boiler. Both boilers are connected to the steam main. Steam enters the idle boiler and condenses because it is cooler, and it floods.

    Pipe the outlet of the trap to the boiler feed tank.

  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Posts: 11,633

    And a pipe on the floor because of doorway might be necessary.

    It would be a "wet" return that the steam pressure could push/lift the water up into the tank.

  • londonrefrig
    londonrefrig Posts: 22

    Thanks y'all, i was thinking the trap idea was preferable.

    Question, any ideas on how to size these traps? I don't have any local suppliers with knowledge to size this...

  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Posts: 1,846

    You can probably use the smallest trap you can find.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Posts: 20,945

    Most use a 3/4 F & T trap which is more than enough

    ScottSecor

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