Yes, i have discovered that power companies no longer use steam as a city heating system. It was ceased in 1984. The steam now seen from the pipes and manholes is as the last person noted is from the sewer water boiling up. This is monitored by the city council and often released to aviod pressure build up.
Revo, you are somewhat correct. The NYC steam plant actually stopped running fully in 1985. The large orange and white chimneys are whenever ConEd or some other utility group goes in to do work, they often have to avert/redirect/vent off the excess steam so they can get access to (or bypass) whatever it is theyre working on. The steam seen comming from the streets today is condensation from the sewer and storm water channels below.
All these responses are wrong. ConEd does generate steam, and NYC has the largest steam generation system in the world with over 1800 customers from the southern tip of manhattan all the way to 96th street. There are actually 5 steam plants in Manhattan, and one in Brooklyn and Queens. They work together to generate. There is no "main" system.
The steam vapor is caused by water falling on a steam pipe, or a manhole cover or due to a steam leak
Comments
Shirley Permalink
Submitted by visitor on 27 March 2005 - 9:43pm
Matt Permalink
Submitted by visitor on 24 May 2005 - 7:29pm
GfunkJunkie Permalink
Submitted by visitor on 4 July 2008 - 12:58pm
The bulk of steam rising from manhole covers is actually sewer water being boiled by the heat of the pipes not by cracks in the pipes themselves.
Revo Permalink
Submitted by visitor on 25 April 2009 - 11:25am
Yes, i have discovered that power companies no longer use steam as a city heating system. It was ceased in 1984. The steam now seen from the pipes and manholes is as the last person noted is from the sewer water boiling up. This is monitored by the city council and often released to aviod pressure build up.
Alex Permalink
Submitted by visitor on 25 April 2009 - 2:05pm
Revo, you are somewhat correct. The NYC steam plant actually stopped running fully in 1985. The large orange and white chimneys are whenever ConEd or some other utility group goes in to do work, they often have to avert/redirect/vent off the excess steam so they can get access to (or bypass) whatever it is theyre working on. The steam seen comming from the streets today is condensation from the sewer and storm water channels below.
Steam from sewer pipes Permalink
Submitted by Ben on 11 December 2011 - 6:57am
But why are the sewer pipes hot!?
NYC Steam Permalink
Submitted by Steve on 30 April 2012 - 5:42am
All these responses are wrong. ConEd does generate steam, and NYC has the largest steam generation system in the world with over 1800 customers from the southern tip of manhattan all the way to 96th street. There are actually 5 steam plants in Manhattan, and one in Brooklyn and Queens. They work together to generate. There is no "main" system.
The steam vapor is caused by water falling on a steam pipe, or a manhole cover or due to a steam leak
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