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  • Jgoffgrid
    replied
    The link at the beginning of this old thread no longer works

    Leave a comment:


  • J.P.M.
    replied
    Originally posted by Mike90250 View Post
    Click on it with a modern browser, it's a active link, i was just there:
    excerpt: A cautionary tale from one of our correspondents.

    "A co-worker of mine put a heat exchanger in his furnace firebox. Without proper controls he quickly made high pressure steam and soon solder joints were failing and the system came apart in what sounded like several small explosions. His solution? Weld the damn thing together the next time. It held together, but it back-fed steam all the way to his artesian well and he had a nice geyser out back. True story." Scott
    Nothing wrong with copper as long as the rest of the system is properly designed for it. However, since most folks are not well versed in boiler design, and copper is rather expensive, welding and heavier components of st. stl. are probably preferable.

    However, that does not change in any way the requirements for proper attention to safety. Simply because a design can withstand higher pressures/temperatures due to material properties, section thicknesses or "bigger" welds", does not mean that safety, particularly safety relieving devices (safety valves, rupture disks, etc.) can be avoided or ignored.

    In the case cited, the well acted as the relieving device and while it may cause a chuckle, that was more fortunate than humorous and a good example of God protecting fools. It is a smoking gun pointing to the ignorance of a design that lacks relieving devices and who knows what else. More example of DIY ignorance causing harm.

    Somewhat early in my engineering career, I saw the results of boiler failure and the steam explosion that followed. Fortunately (for me), it wasn't my design or equipment that failed, and more importantly no injuries, but it sure put the fear of the almighty in me next time I sat down for a design effort. Another true story. J.P.M.

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  • Mike90250
    replied
    Click on it with a modern browser, it's a active link, i was just there:
    excerpt: A cautionary tale from one of our correspondents.

    "A co-worker of mine put a heat exchanger in his furnace firebox. Without proper controls he quickly made high pressure steam and soon solder joints were failing and the system came apart in what sounded like several small explosions. His solution? Weld the damn thing together the next time. It held together, but it back-fed steam all the way to his artesian well and he had a nice geyser out back. True story." Scott

    Leave a comment:


  • thu292
    replied
    i can't open link

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  • Mike90250
    replied
    A copper coil in a wood stove is a time bomb, copper will work harden in the heat, and will fracture easily. Stainless Steel is the preferred material for a heat loop in a stove or heater.
    http://www.woodheat.org/heating-wate...ood-stove.html

    Leave a comment:


  • Logan005
    replied
    When I was a kid we made and placed a copper coil inside the fire box of our wood stove, it pumped water through the coil and into pex tubing in our concrete floor. Even in the teens weather we could burn for four hours in the evening and sleep warm all night. home was earthen berm, super insulated.

    Leave a comment:


  • SunEagle
    replied
    Originally posted by gmanInPA View Post
    The original link that mountain shared does not work for me. Is it still available?
    That post made by mountain is over 5 years old so the link is probably long gone by now.

    Leave a comment:


  • gmanInPA
    replied
    The original link that mountain shared does not work for me. Is it still available?

    Leave a comment:


  • russ
    replied
    Originally posted by organic farmer View Post
    My system has been in operation for a few years. The pressure reliefs lift a few times every year. No problem so far.
    It only counts if they function perfectly year after year - maybe they will and maybe they won't.

    If it is a low pressure system and you can use a vent pipe it would be great.

    Leave a comment:


  • Grahamsurette
    replied
    I'm thinking of venting the top of the hw heater that way it would be a little safer I think.

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  • organic farmer
    replied
    Originally posted by inetdog View Post
    Make sure that the relief valves are in a position where steam and hot water coming out will not cause risk to people or damage to the surroundings.
    My system has been in operation for a few years. The pressure reliefs lift a few times every year. No problem so far.

    Leave a comment:


  • Grahamsurette
    replied
    Originally posted by inetdog View Post
    Make sure that the relief valves are in a position where steam and hot water coming out will not cause risk to people or damage to the surroundings.
    Thanks for that. No one want hot steam in their face

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  • inetdog
    replied
    Originally posted by organic farmer View Post
    No, not really. I have pressure-relief valves in the loops.
    Make sure that the relief valves are in a position where steam and hot water coming out will not cause risk to people or damage to the surroundings.

    Leave a comment:


  • Grahamsurette
    replied
    Originally posted by organic farmer View Post
    Toss in a few check-valves to ensure the flow is always in the direction that you intend it to be.

    When you have multiple loops with Y-connections, there is a possibility of water flowing in the opposite direction, without any check-valves.

    I will do that. This is the second winter I've had my garage and I've been itching to see my infloor in action. Thanks for your input. If anyone has anything else to add I'm open for options

    Leave a comment:


  • organic farmer
    replied
    Originally posted by Grahamsurette View Post
    Alright I think I've figured it out.... Normal hot water tank, thermo siphon supply into the top of the tank with the return from my floor Y'ed Into it. Return going back to the stove exiting from the drain at the bottom of the hw heater with the suppy to the floor T'ed off somewhere in this area along with the circ pump. If it was designed correct I think it would work well and the suction from the circ would encourage the flow of natural convection. Thoughts?
    Toss in a few check-valves to ensure the flow is always in the direction that you intend it to be.

    When you have multiple loops with Y-connections, there is a possibility of water flowing in the opposite direction, without any check-valves.

    Leave a comment:

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