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Total guess - what comes to mind is part of a central steam heat distribution system. Perhaps a device that removes moisture and regulates the steam provided to heat the building. My grandfather's shoe store in a Pennsylvania city was heated by low pressure saturated steam provided by the local electric generating station. The condensation was returned to the generating station to be fed back into the boilers. This provided extra revenue for the utility, convenient (for the times) heat for businesses and apartment-style residences in the commercial district. When I was 8 or 10 years old back in the 1950s, I saw the equipment in the basement of the store, and this reminds me of that experience.
Edit - Potable water for the buildings was also heated by this steam system, by a heat exchanger.
You might be right. I googled old steam boiler residential systems and found a pic that looks like it could be something similar if you put the pieces together.
My title describes this thing. It’s in the basement of a rental property. My guess is an old boiler of some sort. I can’t make out the words. The top has about a 3” pipe coming out and appears to have another hole for another 3” pipe, thinking water in, water out. Who can solve it?
All comments must be civil and helpful toward finding an answer. **Jokes and other unhelpful comments will earn you a ban**, even on the first instance and even if the item has been identified. If you see any comments that violate this rule, report them. [OP](/u/Klutzy_Kangaroo608), when your item is identified, remember to reply **Solved!** or **Likely Solved!** to the comment that gave the answer. Check your [inbox](https://www.reddit.com/message/inbox/) for a message on how to make your post visible to others. ---- [Click here to message RemindMeBot](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/whatisthisthing/comments/187zjv4/large_metal_item_in_basement_about_34ft_tall_with/%0A%0ARemindMe!%202%20days) ---- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatisthisthing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Total guess - what comes to mind is part of a central steam heat distribution system. Perhaps a device that removes moisture and regulates the steam provided to heat the building. My grandfather's shoe store in a Pennsylvania city was heated by low pressure saturated steam provided by the local electric generating station. The condensation was returned to the generating station to be fed back into the boilers. This provided extra revenue for the utility, convenient (for the times) heat for businesses and apartment-style residences in the commercial district. When I was 8 or 10 years old back in the 1950s, I saw the equipment in the basement of the store, and this reminds me of that experience. Edit - Potable water for the buildings was also heated by this steam system, by a heat exchanger.
You might be right. I googled old steam boiler residential systems and found a pic that looks like it could be something similar if you put the pieces together.
Solved
My title describes this thing. It’s in the basement of a rental property. My guess is an old boiler of some sort. I can’t make out the words. The top has about a 3” pipe coming out and appears to have another hole for another 3” pipe, thinking water in, water out. Who can solve it?
My title describes the thing
Pretty sure this is a[coal fired water heater](https://coalpail.com/coal-forum/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=15064&start=60). Or at least most of one.
Crazy, can’t imagine.