Heating Help

Farrar and Trefts Boiler info (Bison Compact Boiler)

@ November 6, 2010 10:35 PM in Farrar and Trefts Boiler info (Bison Compact Boiler)

I have a Farrar and Trefts Boiler (Bison Compact Boiler) that was high pressure and trying to bring it back as a low pressure. There is no info on the boiler at all. Found a model or series number from an old inspection paper. It says 946. I cant find it in the boiler reference book. Found an old plate off of a burner that was on it and it says 2,700M imput. I don't want to burn up the boiler by putting the wrong burner in it. Any info is appreciated.
Thanks Dan

Beaver Pipe threader

@ September 9, 2010 12:10 PM in Beaver Pipe threader

I was looking at buying a threader to do larger piping and found a Beaver 41E. I was wondering if it has adjustable dies or if it requires different dies for different sizes and if dies are still avalable? I was looking for a ridgid 141 but no luck. I bought a ridgid 4pj but realized that i needed to buy several dies and was a poor purchase. I cant find any info on the beaver but figured somebody here could give me some info. Thanks Dan

It might not be empty

@ February 20, 2010 8:47 PM in question

If you drained the tank and then put pressure, by adding water or opening the tank isolating valve, to the system the tank will have some water in it. When the water warms up and expands to operating temp it will further fill the tank. Usually those tanks are generally filled half way. In the worst case if there is not enough water in the tank, air could be displaced into the system.

What size is the boiler?

@ February 20, 2010 8:31 PM in Coal fired boiler piping

You might not need as large pipe depending on the BTUs you are putting out.
EX. Maximum flow rates
1" Tubing at 8gpm can move 80,000 BTUs
1 1/4" at 14GPM 140,000 BTUs
1 1/2" at 22GPM 220,000 BTUs

You can reduce size for underground and then go larger inside the building.
You might need a booster pump in each shop depending on the flow and head requirements. Use heavily insulated underground lines and something with an o2 barrier. I know a guy that buried uninsulated outside lines 3' down and there is no snow where they run from the boiler to the house. Lots of heat lost through the ground.
Hope this helps, Dan

Use foam board instead of plastic

@ February 11, 2010 10:35 AM in crazy question/crazy customer / need an answer

Maybe if one inch foam board is used to cover the ducts there will be less of a chance for condensation. Plus if there is any she cant see it, unlike the plastic.
Dan

I will evaluate the rest to make sure

@ January 28, 2009 10:00 PM in Condensate pump or vacuum pump

Thanks, When I get up there I will look everything over. Your rule of thumb was helpful. Just didnt think of it till u mentioned it and then I remember the size of the returns with vacuum in other bldgs and there is a notable difference. I have a vent valve open now so there is no way the system will hold vacuum. told them to call me if they have any problems. Thanks again for your help.

It does have larger return lines

@ January 28, 2009 6:53 PM in Condensate pump or vacuum pump

The EDR of the boiler is 7880 Sq ft of steam. The main return line to the pump is about 3" diameter. The system has one shell in tube hx for a hot water loop and the rest is cast iron radiators controled by txv's. I will double check the return lines in other parts of the bldg for diameter next time I am up there. Thanks

condensate or vacuum pump

@ January 27, 2009 11:54 PM in Condensate pump or vacuum pump

I have a job i was looking at, that has a vacuum pump that is in disrepair(ITT Domestic VLR). It leaks and spits water out its vent when the pumps run. Obviously something needs to be done. The system has been running on float only for several years but still creates some vacuum when running. There seems to be no condensate return issues other than the pump dumping condensate down the drain. My Question is if i can repace the unit with a condensate only pump? I have no idea if the system was designed for vacuum or if someone got a bright idea at one time to put it in. I had left a vent on the condensate line open and letting them run the system w/out any vacuum to see if there is any issues. Just want to double check. I bet they are loosing 80% of thier condensate from this thing.