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Skull thumpin' the Designers

Eddy
Eddy Member Posts: 21
I'm involved in an upgrade project that is a conversion from a steam system to a hot water system. I made a request of the design team to install the boiler circulator on the discharge side of the boiler, "pumping away". Their response was,"normally the pump is installed on the inlet side of the boiler in order to pressurize it to reduce air sepration." Am I mistaken or isn't that one of the reasons for "pumping away?"

Comments

  • kevin
    kevin Member Posts: 420
    Bingo

    Get them a copy of Dan's book Pumping Away. Plain English and Lot of good diagrams! Don't back down! Just prove them wrong....Kevin C.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Why

    are you changing that system from steam to water? I find that if properly maintained, steam will work great! It also runs at far less pressure than hot-water, and there is almost no danger of a freeze-up if the boiler should quit (as in a power failure).

    About the only thing you can't get for steam are those 90% or higher AFUE boilers-hopefully that will change.

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  • Eddy
    Eddy Member Posts: 21


    The bean counters claim that a steam system demands more labor to operate then air handlers with direct fired gas burners and the efficiency is about 2% greater then steam. The heating water loop is for the office spaces. I must say it will be sad to see those boilers go. They're 23 years old and could last another 100.
  • Earthfire
    Earthfire Member Posts: 543
    Pressure

    that will work exactly as they plan by depressurizing the piping and releasing air in the system and increase the labor bill for all the service calls for noise . The low bidder must buildin some way to make money you know.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Tell them

    they're wrong! They're not heating experts, you are!

    To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
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