Stoker Coal Boiler That Would Best Meet My Needs

 
Northern Maine
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Post by Northern Maine » Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 8:05 am

Rob R. wrote:Can you explain the system that distributes the heated water to each house?

If it is pex tubing, what size?
How long is it?
Heat exchangers?
Circulator size?

You can have the biggest boiler in the state of Maine, but your distribution system can only move so many btu's.
Lets start with drawing a triangle and put a home on each corner. At the top of the triangle is my home...60 ft from the out door boiler. On each of the other corners is a home which, is 150 ft from the boiler. 1 inch pex (insulated) running to each home respectively (both out and in lines). My home and the home heated to 45 degrees each have a #9 taco circulator pump (bothe these homes are open loop systems). The other home has a #14 taco circulator pump and a plate exchanger. Is this picture of the layout helpful?


 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 8:20 am

Northern Maine wrote:both these homes are open loop systems
Are you saying 2 of homes are connected directly to the wood boiler without plate heat exchangers?

 
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Post by Northern Maine » Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 8:24 am

Yes two of the homes are connected to the boiler without a plate exchanger

 
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Post by Rob R. » Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 8:26 am

That is a very bad idea. I hope you are diligent about treating the water in the wood boiler.

 
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Post by Northern Maine » Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 8:28 am

I change the water yearly and put clean soft water in it...I test the water 4 times a year and add chemicals as appropriate, but to date have had to add very little

 
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lsayre
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Post by lsayre » Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 8:58 am

Northern Maine wrote:I change the water yearly and put clean soft water in it...I test the water 4 times a year and add chemicals as appropriate, but to date have had to add very little
Is yours an open or closed (pressurized) system?

 
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Post by Northern Maine » Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 9:02 am

Open..unpressurized


 
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lsayre
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Post by lsayre » Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 10:24 am

I would think that your heat loss would be less and you would eliminate a bunch of water testing headaches if you ran a pressurized (low pressure, 12 PSI) system. I gather that for wood boilers (as with solar hot water systems) unpressurized systems with a huge heat storage tank and exchanger are common. This is not necessary and is not desired for coal.
Last edited by lsayre on Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 6:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.

 
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whistlenut
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Post by whistlenut » Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 10:34 am

ASME................ pressure vessel, that is why......can't blow up if it has no pressure. Water chemistry is VERY important......Oxygen in the water medium cause all sorts of issues,
but permitting and compliance leads the manufactures to 'Open Top' design. Ever hear: Built to a standard and not a price point? Axeman-Anderson knew which road to travel from the beginning....... Too nice outside, park the damned computer and go do something, even if it's wrong!!!! Look over the 'Honey Do List' and get a few brownie points! Make sure your flag is hanging free in the breeze. A great day to be alive!!......because of many who were not as fortunate.

 
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Post by Northern Maine » Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 10:41 am

Cannot pressurize the out door boiler...when we replace it with a coal stoker...Im sure we will be back in the pressurized realm again!

 
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Post by Northern Maine » Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 1:29 pm

Just contacted my local coal dealer in my town (CENTER FARMS) and coal has only gone up $5 to $285 a ton with free delivery because I only live 5 miles away! This is a very good price considering our location! Can't wait for summer so we can switch! :D

 
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tikigeorge
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Post by tikigeorge » Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 8:49 pm

Don't forget to look at a Keystoker from Schuylkill Haven, PA http://www.keystoker.com
Last edited by tikigeorge on Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 8:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.

 
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lsayre
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Post by lsayre » Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 8:55 pm

The KD-12 looks like it would do the job. Keystoker boilers are noticeably less expensive than the others also.

 
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Scottscoaled
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Post by Scottscoaled » Tue. Nov. 13, 2012 7:09 pm

Hey Larry. How Is it a chemist, who has a hard time deciding whether to use peanut oil or light mineral oil, to oil his coal, knows so much about coal boilers? Are you the same Larry who posted about 500 questions how to install your AA130. The same Larry who posted 500 times trying to decide which boiler to use? How did you find out so much about coal boilers in such a short time? The fact is, you are not really helping someone here. I might know every technical thing about a new Harley, but untill I actually ride one, my opinion means nothing. Same goes for the new Honda :)

 
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Scottscoaled
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Post by Scottscoaled » Tue. Nov. 13, 2012 8:09 pm

Those ARE a funny 3 %. But read the post. They were suggestions for new names back in 2008 :)


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