Steam boiler expansion tank placement/ Flo chek

Markvia55 · January 26

hi everyone, I have been making some improvements to my boiler since buying my first house- I have read that the extrol tank should be located before the circulator pump. Is this true? Also, should I replace the Flo Check and get a new circulator pump with an Integrated Flo Check?

thanks

EBEBRATT-Ed · January 26

The circulator should be on the boiler supply for best results. If it is on the return its probably ok in a low resistance residential job. Either way you should "pump away from the expansion tank" so the expansion tank should be on the pump suction.

I prefer flow check to the circ pump check valves but that is just me.

How many zones do you have and do you get DHW off the boiler?

Steamhead · January 26

This is a hot-water boiler, not a steam boiler.

And you should have an air separator before the tank.

hot_rod · January 26

I don't see an air purger in that pic?

Is there another pump somewhere, maybe lower right side just out of view.

Markvia55 · January 26

thanks all- the system is a hydronic and steam system. There is another pump for the basement hydronic zone. Pic attached

Markvia55 · January 26

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1884285#Comment_1884285

there is not currently an air purger. I am getting air in my top steam zone

Markvia55 · January 26

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1884269#Comment_1884269

thanks for the correction. I meant that is has steam heating and a hydronic zone. So you are saying, air purger/ tank, then circulator pump?

Markvia55 · January 26

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1884269#Comment_1884269

like this first pic?

kcopp · January 26

If it is using the water in the steam boiler w/o a heat exchanger then there should be no air vents in the system.. Correct?

Steamhead · January 26

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1884308#Comment_1884308

Yup, now that we know it's a steam boiler with a condensate loop. And the expansion tank would not be needed either.

STEAM DOCTOR · January 27

Looks like steam boiler, with a tankless coil. Seems like there are two water zones. One coming off the bottom of the boiler, which does not need any of the typical hot water apparatuses. The other zone, is a traditional hot water zone, which needs the pressure reducing valve and the expansion tank... If things are working properly, it's probably not worth the efforts to make any major changes. Always good to come away, but on smaller systems, not as critical

Markvia55 · January 27

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1884344#Comment_1884344

thanks so much. You are correct. Everything is working, except that there is some excess air in the system in the upper zones which I’m trying to eliminate

Markvia55 · January 27

STEAM DOCTOR · January 27

Is the air a chronic problem? If not, just leave well alone. You can manually bridge the air from the purge valve above the boiler

Steam boiler expansion tank placement/ Flo chek

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