Two-pipe steam
What it is
With two-pipe steam, the TRV can be placed at the radiator inlet where it is able to block steam entirely from entering the radiator when the TRV is closed.
In the case of two-pipe steam, the TRV is connected to the radiator inlet and, when in the closed position, prevents steam from entering the radiator body entirely.
With two-pipe steam, the TRV can be placed at the radiator inlet where it is able to block steam entirely from entering the radiator when the TRV is closed. In a one-pipe steam application TRVs are installed at the vent side of the radiator, principally because of debris and condensate clogging issues at the inlet, and higher labor costs.
Its parts
- Boiler
- Boilers and pressure vessels are constructed similarly. Essentially, a boiler is a pressure vessel.
- A boiler heats water to provide hot water or steam for heating that is then distributed through a series of pipes.
- Steam trap
- Two pipe systems rely on steam traps to prevent steam from passing through the radiator and exiting into the condensate return pipe.
- Some systems use condensate pumps to return the condensate to the basement. These systems would have steam traps in the basement along with a condensate tank that feeds water back into the boiler.
Related pages
- Glossary: Two-pipe steam
Its entry, and the guide's pages that use it.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy. Thermostatic.
- U.S. Department of Energy. Thermostatic Radiator Valve Evaluation (Building America, DOE).
- City of Chicago. Boiler Inspections.
- U.S. Department of Energy. Measuring a Heating System's Efficiency.
- U.S. Department of Energy. Measure Guideline: Steam System Balancing and Tuning for Multifamily Residential Buildings.