New cast iron steam boiler keeps flooding

[Alantwo]

Hello from cold Minnesota,

For the last seven years I've been a boiler operator in an old brownstone. Late last heating season, the old locomotive style fire-tube boiler I was tending cracked. It was well over a 100 years old. So the condo board decided to purchase a new cast iron section boiler to replace it. A plumbing company installed it, and the boiler itself is working fine. Trouble is one steam main leading to the far side of the building keeps flooding. Consequently we have continuous water hammering. We've called in several mechanical engineer firms to consult us as to how to solve this problem. None can give us a definitive reason as to why this is happening.

We've installed larger steam traps, but that didn't work.

Any ideas? I'm at a wit's end.

 

[Dhurjati Sen]

Steam traps come in different types and sizes. Just by installing a larger one may not solve your problem. Consult some steam trap manufacturer / specialist for the appropriate installation.

 

[MFJewell]

Did the old boiler superheat the steam to xx degrees and does the new one superheat to the same?

 

[racookpe1978]

Has any piping sagged recently, or have any previous "good" hangers been disconnected or removed or broken? Any supports or structures changed in the past 2-3 years? Also, the (new or replaced) steam traps may themselves not be draining properly.

You might be seeing water trapped by low spots in the piping that previously drained to the steam traps.

 

[Alantwo]

Thanks for the replies. Both the heat and pressure are set, and meeting, the same standards as before. I've went over the pipes and all are tilted towards the boiler to allow water condensation to return.

I maybe should consult the manufacture as to the steam traps.

Thanks a bunch guys.