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Near boiler piping

Steamhead
Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
to print out the piping diagram and make sure it is followed. Also the pic of our installation.

Let us know how you do.

<A HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=157&Step=30">To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"</A>
All Steamed Up, Inc.
Towson, MD, USA
Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
Oil & Gas Burner Service
Consulting

Comments

  • Cariguy
    Cariguy Member Posts: 9
    Opinion

    I have attached a photo of the (1 pipe) steam piping as it leaves my boiler. This was an installation by a so called heating professional about 11 years ago. It is a Utica 112,00 btu gas. I know that the dead man's art suggests that the connection to the radiant loop be after the the steam exits from the boiler. Is it worth changing this to this type of setup? I have not had any symptons of the water level surges. Is it any more effecient?
  • clammy
    clammy Member Posts: 3,103
    piping

    first i would look for your installation booklet and see what they sugest also there should be swing joints on your riser and where your system ties in isn't really ideal glad to see inslulation on the piping but is it there to hide the fact that it's a copper header looks like from the photo that the riser are probaly only 2 " which is o.k. but usally your header is larger to slower your exiting velocity of steam from the boiler.the way it's piped would suggest that your probaly getting some wet steam how your rads feel and how are your fuel bills just food for thought.good luck and again check the installation guide lines that came with the boiler if you can find them
    R.A. Calmbacher L.L.C. HVAC
    NJ Master HVAC Lic.
    Mahwah, NJ
    Specializing in steam and hydronic heating
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    That piping is definitely wrong

    It lacks swing joints as Clammy says, so it does not allow for the boiler sections to expand & contract. It also will not separate the water from the steam if it gets high enough to reach the horizontal portion.

    Utica and Columbia boilers are similar. Here's the piping diagram, and the second pic is a recent installation we did using this type of boiler. We used a "Drop Header" on this one, as it allows even more leeway for the boiler sections to move.

    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
  • Cariguy
    Cariguy Member Posts: 9
    Header

    Thanks guys for your great responses. I do not notice any gurgling in the pipes. This was originally a replacement for an old coal potbelly boiler converted to gas. That is the only comparison that I have. The old system was so overfired (I measured 360,000 btu's at the meter) that flames were shooting up the chimney. Therefore I think the contractor just took the easiest route. Yes, the header is copper but unfortunately at the time I did not know about the Heatinghelp site. Will wetter steam cause problems with the effeciency of the system? Am I getting less steam out of the boiler to the pipes because of the header?
  • A picture is worth a thousand words...

    If you ever carried water up stairs, you know how much extra energy it takes.

    Noel
  • clammy
    clammy Member Posts: 3,103
    quality of steam

    it is not the amount of steam your recieving it's the quality of steam if the near boiler piping was done correctly your would have dryer qnd hotter steam more latent heat by the boiler being piped the way it is your steam is probaly wet .i've in the past re piped jobs and have had custmers say there rads where never that hot before .i get alot of guff from others in the field about how anal i am about header being steel and sized correctly but it truely does make a huge difference.and with all due respect if it repiped and new vent installed you will probaly see a saving on your fuel comsumption and have asystem that over all operates more efficently.wet steam is not good for any part of your system as far as i am conserned it produces more condensate in your mains and lower the overall amount of btu's carried in your mains .if your system works and fuel bills are not to high and you can live with it then by all means do i get refrerels for re doing headers all the time and re insulating after i discuss it with the home owners alot of the time they just want mircales for free if you change do it in steel and just pay the gentleman good luck
    R.A. Calmbacher L.L.C. HVAC
    NJ Master HVAC Lic.
    Mahwah, NJ
    Specializing in steam and hydronic heating
  • Cariguy
    Cariguy Member Posts: 9
    Latent heat

    It looks like to me that it is worth it since it sounds like the piping sysem should carry the latent heat up sooner. Therefore the cycle should be shorter. All I need to do is get someone to pipe it in steel. I know there is one contractor listed here in Detroit. I shall give him a call.
This discussion has been closed.