Boiler feed pump

Heating · Common Steam Systems · printed page 194 (PDF page 195)

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Book index entries

Boiler – for Steam Heat Steam Heat – Boiler Feed Pump Steam Heat – Systems

Text in the illustration

feed pump is controlled by the pump and low water control on the boiler
receiver
air vent (do not block)
from returns
receiver is much larger than the receiver in a condensate pump
pressure reducing valve
water supply
12 PSI
solenoid valve
float
float switch
auto water feeder
water
motor
to boiler inlet
check valve
feed pump
the auto water feed system adds water to the receiver (from the house supply plumbing) as necessary to keep the receiver 1/4 filled
it may be controlled by a float switch/solenoid valve or a simpler ballcock valve
cross section

Generated explanation

A cross section shows a steam-heating boiler feed pump drawing water from a receiver and discharging it through a check valve to the boiler inlet. Condensate enters from the returns near the top of the receiver, which has an air vent marked not to be blocked. A motor drives the feed pump, and an annotation states that the boiler's pump and low-water control governs its operation. An automatic water feeder uses a float switch, solenoid valve, and pressure-reducing valve marked 12 PSI to admit makeup water from the house supply and keep the receiver one-quarter filled. The receiver is identified as much larger than a condensate-pump receiver, and a note identifies a simpler ballcock valve as an alternative makeup-water control.

Components

boiler feed pump pump motor receiver tank air vent condensate return piping boiler inlet piping check valve automatic water feeder water supply piping pressure-reducing valve solenoid valve float float switch

Related illustrations

1128

Boiler feed pump

· p. 198

The cross section shows a steam-heating boiler feed pump with a vented receiver collecting water from the system returns. A motor-driven pump draws water from the bottom of the receiver and sends it through a check valve

1112

Location of boiler feed pump

· p. 194

A building cross section shows a steam boiler and boiler feed pump below a radiator. Red arrows trace steam from the boiler header through the supply main and up the radiator supply pipe, while blue arrows indicate retur