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At last! Or... not quite!

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  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 16,285
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1888251#Comment_1888251

    on a 2 pipe system. not so much on a one pipe system. there are a few rules in the near boiler piping instructions that are very important for 2 pipe systems but probably make little difference in 1 pipe gravity return systems. the same diagram is given for both. the only difference in pressure between supply in return in a 1 pipe system is the resistance to flow of steam in the pipe. in a 2 pipe system the 2 are not directly connected and significant pressure differences can exist.

  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 17,241
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1888251#Comment_1888251

    This is one of the reasons people are scared of steam.

    I've held all of my steam rises and often mains when balancing my system. It's a 212f pipe not a 500f oven or soldering iron.

    You're also not reaching into burning hot liquid.

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

    mattmia2ethicalpaul
  • Captain Who
    Captain Who Member Posts: 700
    edited February 16

    OK. I am saying it isn't a good way to measure the temperature of something in any sort of quantitative scientific way but anyone is free to conduct the experiment as they see fit. I will tape a thermocouple and video the process with my sight glass and DVOM/thermocouple both in the frame. If you can hold your hand on a steam pipe when steam hits it for more than a second, then I tip my hat to you.

    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1888286#Comment_1888286

    in the frame.

  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 17,241
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1888289#Comment_1888289

    It's a home heating steam boiler not a fusion reactor. None of this is that complicated.

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

  • neilc
    neilc Member Posts: 3,152

    maybe "hold" is too incessant a word,

    tap touch, tappy tappy tap touch,

    not hot yet , , , oooh that's getting hot , , , , dang that's hot!, , ,

    known to beat dead horses
    ethicalpaulChrisJ
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 8,579

    I am pretty sure I can hold the equalizer since there’s no steam in it 🙂

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,018

    Steam can only get down to the HL if:

    Its installed too high

    Or the boiler runs at low water all the time.

    The HL is supposed to be submerged 2-4" below the normal water line

    If steam and water co exist the steam is above the water and the water is on the bottom. Like a tank of refrigerant liquid on the bottom vapor on top.

    The HL problem is it is equalized the return water trying to get in the boiler and the steam pushing back against it. This is where the problem can arise. The condensate can cool the steam causing vacuum if there is a lot of steam and water contact area…….like a long HL nipple. That is why it should be a close nip, street ell or a Y fitting to minimize hammer.

    I don't believe air stays in any steam system. Even in buildings with bad or no air vents you usually eventually get some steam heat. I don't think air gets trapped in an equalizer either.

    The boiler starts from a cold start. Condensate starts dripping down the equalizer to the boiler water line and the air rises to the top and goes out through the main.

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