Boiler Operation

I agree. The gauge glasses are sitting in basically a dead end position off the boiler and would not necessarily get vented unless the water level was raised to the top of the glass expelling all the air which is generally not the case. Aboard ship, periodic blowing down of the boiler water gauge glasses was a normal routine during one of the watches.

During a return to service it would be done as soon as there was sufficient pressure in the system, say just 10 to 15 psi even, to expel the air and establish a true level in the gauges.

The three valve set-up should be normal. This allows you to close the supply from either the water side or the steam side to blow down. It was normal to close the water side since the hot water would flash and produce a greater volume of steam than when you just were using the steam side. A lot would depend on the type of boiler and the actual conditions of operation.

1st answer was good- it is a safety requirement that level gauges are tested as are low water alarms etc regularly- a blockage can lead to your situation- as to vent open close- the idea is to remove air from system- as pressure builds open vent- otherwise corrosion can be ocurring if vent is open- a very good book in my time was called STEAM- I would think still very relevant.

It is obvious to me that your training and knowledge are not sufficient for the work you are doing.

There should never be a reason for a professional to ask such questions of anybody, let alone CR4.....

Get a proper fully trained professional in before you blow yourself and anyone else up........

Do you realise that in gaining experience, you may kill yourself and a few others.......?

Surely you aren't THAT stupid?

joravi1, this is most likely due to a "check" inside of the isolation valves. See if you have this type of valve. Or 1 of these isolation valves maybe closed. good luck.