Connecting to a low-pressure steam boiler, Aqua plus, Product manual – Weil-McLain AQUA PLUS GL-E223-ADOC 0311 User Manual

Page 18

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AQUA PLUS

indirect

-

fired

water

heaters

— Product Manual

Connecting to a low-pressure steam boiler

Special considerations

When designing steam and domestic hot water systems, there are some

key issues that must be taken into consideration during the initial de-

sign phase. By designing the system properly from the start, you can

avoid problems and have a hot water loop in a steam boiler system.

• The domestic water demand should preferably not exceed 1/3

of the steam boiler capacity. Larger demand may cause difficulty

obtaining steam as needed.

• Keep the loop temperature below the flash point. Flashing can result

in noise and circulator damage or shortened life.

• Be sure the loop is completely closed, with no automatic or manual

air vents, or anything that could allow air to enter the system when

the pump shuts off.

• Pipe supply from one side of the boiler, return to the opposite

side as shown.

• Supply from a tapping that is high enough to prevent introducing

sediment into the piping and circulator yet still below the water

line. Avoid the mud leg of the boiler.

• Use an all bronze circulator.

• Avoid wet rotor circulators. Select a circulator with a large

volute, such as a typical 3-piece circulator.

• This will reduce clogging and will resist the corrosion potential

from the steam condensate.

• Make sure the circulator is properly sized. If the circulator runs too

far out on its curve, cavitation potential increases significantly.

• Use (2) flow / check valves as shown to reduce the potential for

gravity circulation.
• DO NOT use spring-loaded check valves in place of the

flow / check valves shown in Figure 16, page 19.

Installation and start-up of water heaters

connected to steam boilers

1. See Figure 16, page 19, for suggested piping schematic.
2. Pipe the domestic water connections to the water heater per “Do-

mestic water piping,” page 6.

Boiler connections for the water heater must be below

the water line. DO NOT use the gauge glass tapping or a

low water cut-off tapping if a LWCO is installed there.

For steam piping, refer to the steam boiler manual.

DO NOT install an air vent anywhere in the piping. The

piping must be air tight.

3. Wire the water heater and circulator to the boiler per suggested

wiring in Figure 15. The water heater must be wired and ready to

operate before proceeding. Note that the L4006A aquastat is located

in the boiler and sets a boiler operating temperature when there is

no call for steam heating.

To fill the boiler and water heater:

1. Follow the procedure given in Figure 16, page 19 to fill the water

heater piping.

2. Follow the boiler manual instructions to fill the steam boiler.

Figure 15

Typical wiring for connection to low-

pressure steam boiler

Install the Honeywell L4006A aquastat in the boiler, be-

low the water line. Set for a temperature of 180 to 190°F

to control boiler temperature when there is no call for

steam heating.

Valve 7, the memory stop valve, must

be supplied, piped and adjusted as in-
structed. This valve allows cooler return
water to mix with the hot water from
the steam boiler. The valve is set to yield
approximately 180°F water entering the
circulator. Higher temperature water
could cause cavitation in the circulator,
damaging the impeller and shortening
circulator life.

DO NOT connect the piping to the boil-
er’s mud leg. This would probably cause
excessive sediment to enter the water
heater piping, damaging the circulator.

The strainer in the circulator suction line
must be serviced regularly. NOTE that
noise from the circulator is a likely sign
that the strainer is restricting circulator
flow, causing cavitation.

Part number GL-E223-ADOC 0311

18

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