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1974 Kewanee Boiler

Year Made 1974
Type Type M/Firebox-style Firetube
Fuel Combination (natural gas/oil)
Ignition System

Combination burner

Rated Output Power 70 BHP
Output 30 PSI Hot Water
Location Technical Vocational School
Status Operational

This boiler was manufactured in 1974, while the technical vocational school it heats. The burner, similar to the burner in its bigger and older brother, is a combination model that can burn both natural gas and oil. Unlike the 1968 American-Standard/Kewanee, this boiler is still in operation and features a Kewanee-made burner and control assembly.

The former director at the vocational school where this boiler is located allowed me to take pictures several times, and even got me out of class (woodworking) to watch it being serviced. She grew up in Moline, Illinois, which is only about 30 miles from Kewanee, where this boiler was manufactured.

You can click on a picture to view a larger version of it.

Update (February 2, 2019): I heard that this boiler recently had issues requiring attention. This boiler may be replaced if a proposition passes in April.

August 22, 2016

These pictures were taken on August 22, 2016 using a Nikon D3100 digital camera. These were taken after I had learned that roof-top HVAC units (RTUs) were being installed in the classroom and shop areas at the school it serves. Thus, it will be used less and less. The pictures are much higher quality (not taken with a cell phone), and I was finally able to learn more about it thanks to using a medium lens to photograph the rating plates. This boiler turns out to be a 70 BHP boiler, and not a 25 BHP model as previously thought. Also produces 30 PSI of hot water.

(March 2017: I learned that the building which this boiler serves may be receiving add-ons. Therefore, sadly, the Kewanee may be affected or even decommissioned like its older and bigger brother.

BTEC #1

BTEC #2

Control Panel

Above: The Control Panel for the boiler. The boiler has the option to be fired with gas or atomized oil. In my freshman year, when I attended the school for woodworking classes, the boiler had flame sensing issues. The bell on the side would ring at several times of the day, as the flame sensor would loose sight of the flame. It was later learned that one of the wires were loose inside the control panel, causing it to constantly loose the flame. (I actually witnessed *part* of the time when the service men were there to repair the issue. The former director actually allowed me to miss part of my class (woodworking) to witness it being repaired. The repair tech showed me how the lead sulphide flame sensor worked.

BTEC Rating Plate

BTEC Rating Plate #2