4 ms·
Single Pipe Steam Radiator[1] – what a quaint solution. I see how they got there, cheaper to build and can, in optimal conditions, be made to work within certai
by jws 14y ago
Single Pipe Steam Radiator[1] – what a quaint solution. I see how they got there, cheaper to build and can, in optimal conditions, be made to work within certain limitations.
I think I might try a no-moving-parts solution and attach an electric heating element to my bleed valve. By heating it just before the steam cycle starts you could prevent steam from entering your radiator, then after a suitable interval, stop heating it, let the air out, and begin your personal, abbreviated cycle.
You might also have success with partial air entrapment in the radiator by heating a little early and keeping the bleed valve closed for the rest of the heat cycle, thereby reducing the available power from the radiator but spread over the entire heating cycle.
In any event, you will want to let the air bleed open after each heat cycle to let your water go.
Oh, and incidentally if you don't have thermistors laying about: http://www.maximintegrated.com/datasheet/index.mvp/id/2815 http://www.maximintegrated.com/datasheet/index.mvp/id/2815 there is Arduino code. One pin, two wires, one resistor, a bunch of probes, all calibrated and 0.5°C accuracy from -55°C to 125°C. A couple bucks each, you mostly save that in ancillary component costs.
EOM
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydronics#Single-pipe_steam http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydronics#Single-pipe_steam
- theterg 14y agoInteresting! I was thinking of attaching a small geared DC motor to the main steam valve on the radiator, but controlling via the auto-bleed is a really cool idea. I've been a little worried about damaging the bleed valve, but it's an elegant solution. EDIT - could you elaborate on how heating the bleed valve is a good way of controlling it? Isn't it moisture based? --Andrew (Terg.is)
- jws 14y agoMy understanding of the bleed valves is that they are normally open devices which close when heated. The cycle goes something like this: at rest: radiator full of air, valve open steam begins flowing: steam is displacing air from radiator, bleed valve begins heating up bleed valve closes: radiator is now full of steam, some of which condenses and ideally runs back down pipe, if your building hasn't shifted too much over the years. any condensed steam is replaced with new steam from pipe boiler stops: steam is no longer coming up the pipe. As the steam in the radiator condenses we suck air back in through the bleed valve. radiator is cooling. bleed valve opens: at some point the radiator cools enough that the bleed valve opens. We are now ready to begin the cycle again. Additionally, I think there is a time delay component in the bleed valve to let it get the air good and purged before it closes.
- bingaling 14y agoFrom the wikipedia page: The valves close when steam reaches them, due to a small amount of alcohol in them turning into vapor and exerting mechanical force to close the valve.
- bgruber 14y agocontrolling the bleed valve is definitely the way to go. The commercial solution is a bleed valve that opens and closes based on the temperature in the room.