Steam system operation: thermostat is satisfied

Heating · How They Work · printed page 192 (PDF page 193)

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Book index entries

Steam Heat – Thermostat Satisfied Steam Heat – Systems

Text in the illustration

the air vent had been closed because there was steam in the radiator but, as the steam cools and condenses, the air vent reopens allowing air to enter the radiator and bringing the pressure in the radiator back to atmospheric
condensed water continues to drain back to the boiler through the return piping
B
air vent
exhaust flue
main vent
returning condensate
dry return
boiler water line
water
steam boiler
wet return
burner
A
the thermostat is satisfied and turns off the burner
cross section

Generated explanation

A building cross section shows a steam boiler and burner below a radiator, connected by steam and condensate return piping. At stage A, the satisfied thermostat turns off the burner. At stage B, steam in the radiator cools and condenses, and the radiator air vent reopens to admit air and restore atmospheric pressure. Blue arrows show condensate continuing to drain through the dry return and wet return to the boiler. The diagram also identifies the main vent, boiler water line, and exhaust flue.

Components

steam boiler burner radiator radiator air vent radiator inlet valve steam supply piping main vent dry return piping wet return piping exhaust flue boiler sight glass