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Author Topic: When the OWB is lower than the system, flash boiling or steam can occur  (Read 1854 times)

Sprinter

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Here's a article on sub atmospheric conditions in a non pressurized boiler system.

http://www.radiantandhydronics.com/articles/86249-noisy-pipes

This condition can also occur when a circulator is grossly oversized, even when OWB is above system. Circulators create a pressure differential on either side of the flanges to create flow. If the circ is way too big for the application, it will create a very low pressure on the inlet side. Flash boiling can occur and thus cavitation , gurgling and overheating until the flow can equalize or sometimes it never will. What makes this hard to troubleshoot sometimes is ,the actual weather barometer pressure changing. As pressure decreases water boiling point also decreases, additives to water can also change boil point, which can make the problem inconsistent.

 I can't find the other article, but it had a lot more detail...
« Last Edit: January 10, 2014, 07:56:04 AM by Sprinter »
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hondaracer2oo4

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Re: When the OWB is lower than the system, flash boiling or steam can occur
« Reply #1 on: January 10, 2014, 08:18:02 AM »

The flash boiling is what is typically referred to as cavitation. This is why people have to take the amount of water being flowed by the pump when they place their circulator   far away from the boiler. The long run of piping leading up to the pump is only being pushed by 14 psi of atmospheric pressure if the pump is at the same level as the owb. 14 psi doesn't provide a lot of push through 1 inch pex lines to supply the pumps.
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Sprinter

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Re: When the OWB is lower than the system, flash boiling or steam can occur
« Reply #2 on: January 10, 2014, 02:05:33 PM »

So your saying when the system is on the same level its 14 psi
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hondaracer2oo4

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Re: When the OWB is lower than the system, flash boiling or steam can occur
« Reply #3 on: January 10, 2014, 03:24:10 PM »

Thats correct. For every 10 feet of elevation gain or loss it is minus or plus 5 psi respectively.
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Sprinter

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