Condensate Piping- One Pipe

Suchitapage · August 29

Hello,

I am working on this building which has one-pipe steam system. I came across this condensate piping arrangement. The condensate return is a dry return until the very end and it drops abruptly near the boiler (have attached the photos). So would like to know if this a very common piping arrangement?

Also, how does this system performs because I couldn't see a hartford loop ?

Thank you.

EBEBRATT-Ed · August 29

Need to take pictures from farther back so we can see the whole…..picture!

It looks like you have a bunch of return lines that drop down below the boiler water line before they connect.

Suchitapage · August 29

I have added some more photos further back from the boiler.

Suchitapage · August 29

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1863504#Comment_1863504

Yes, but they also have a steam pipe getting connected to the return header. In the below photo, the pipe furthest from the viewer is a steam pipe and the two pipe closest looks like a condensate pipe. This is getting connected to the boiler

EBEBRATT-Ed · August 30

Cant see it but the steam to the return header is probably a drip from the steam supply. Nice ST Johnson Burner. The pipes in the air are difficult to see

109A_5 · August 30

I suspect in this case the wet return is so short (and completely visible) there would be no benefit in adding a Hartford loop.

" they also have a steam pipe getting connected to the return header " This may be the Equalizer pipe.

The system may benefit from better main venting.

Suchitapage · August 30

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1863547#Comment_1863547

Is there any benefit of piping this way than the conventional way of dropping pipe and having long wet returns and Hartford loop?

mattmia2 · August 30

Depends more on where you have space for returns. The high returns won't rust out unless your boiler is throwing water in the mains. You can locate the vents centrally at the boiler.

109A_5 · August 30

Much less wet return pipe to fail and maintain. It may have just fit into the buildings structure better, without having to bury the wet return and make it hard to maintain and find leaks.

Suchitapage · September 8

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1863590#Comment_1863590

Sorry, I got a little late to reply. But one question, you talked about this system benefitting from better main venting. Can you please elaborate on that?

Why would this system need better venting? Is there any particular reason?

Thank you.

109A_5 · September 8

You burn fuel the push the air out of the system. Steam may fill the main pipes faster, less burn time, less fuel. May help with balancing the mains too, for more even heating.

Pumpguy · September 9

Steam can't move through a system that has air in it. The quicker you vent the air, the quicker the steam can move through the system.

The general rule is, Vent the Mains fast and the rads slow.

Condensate Piping- One Pipe

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