Some elements of the piping of heaters in a private house can be made independently. So, a self-made buffer tank for a solid fuel boiler will ensure the uninterrupted and efficient operation of the heating system.
Content
- Heating unit device
- Operating principle
- Tank volume calculation
- Self-production
This reservoir is also called a heat accumulator or storage device, since it is able to accumulate heat energy and give it to the system, even when the boiler is not operating at full capacity.
Heating unit device
Currently, a heat accumulator is a rather complex design. A simpler unit resembles a thermos in its structure. Its design includes the following elements:
- internal tank;
- external cladding;
- insulation.
The inner tank has four nozzles: two are connected to a solid fuel boiler, and two are connected to the heating system circuit. A safety valve is installed at the top of the tank to relieve excess pressure.
At the lowest point of the tank there is a valve for draining the liquid. Two circulating pumps are built into the piping scheme, which move the coolant under a certain pressure.
In the general scheme of the heating system, the unit takes place directly between the boiler and radiators.
If it is absent, then in order for the process to proceed evenly, it is necessary to constantly put firewood in the firebox. Sometimes this procedure cannot be performed due to the design features of the boilers.
Operating principle
The principle of operation of the buffer capacity can be compared to the operation of a car battery. While the engine is running, the generator spins and generates electrical current, which is stored in the car battery.
Once the engine is shut off, the battery supplies the electrical equipment with electricity. So in this case, when solid fuel is ignited in the boiler, the cooled liquid from the tank is pumped into the heater, where it is heated.
The hot coolant entering the buffer tank rises to the top, since it is lighter than the cold liquid. First, the movement of water in the system is carried out in a small circle: between the boiler and the heat accumulator.
When the coolant in the tank heats up, it begins to flow through the pipelines to the batteries. Then the cooled liquid flows through return pipelines to the lower part of the buffer tank.
One of the disadvantages of this design is the long initial period of heating the coolant. Sometimes it can take 2 to 4 hours. But still this device has many positive properties, namely:
- fuel economy;
- simplicity of design, which allows you to make a heat accumulator with your own hands;
- increasing the efficiency of a solid fuel boiler;
- easy maintenance of equipment;
- protection of heating system elements from overheating.
The operation of the heat accumulator is based on the high thermal conductivity of the liquid. For example, when 1 liter of water is cooled at 1 ° C, it can heat 1 m³ of air in a room by 4 ° C.
Therefore, if at a certain moment heat energy is transferred to a certain volume of water, then it will be enough to heat the dwelling for a long time.
Tank volume calculation
Before proceeding with the manufacture of a heat accumulator for heating with your own hands, it is necessary to calculate the approximate volume of the future unit. First you need to find out approximate heat dissipation capacity of the tank, considering that for heating 10 m² of the room in winter, 1 kW of power is consumed.
That is, for heating a large country house with an area of 200 m², 20 kW of thermal energy will be required, but for the calculation, an average indicator is taken - 10 kW. In this case, the maximum temperature of the coolant is taken equal to 90 ° C, and the minimum - 50 ° C.
The operating time of the buffer tank without the participation of the boiler is 8 hours. In the future, after calculating the formula m = Q / c (tmax-tmin), you can find out the amount of water entering the tank. In the formula the following designations:
-
Q - heat energy consumption; - c - specific heat capacity of water;
- (tmax-tmin) - the difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures.
After the calculation, you will get 1718 kg of water, that is, the approximate volume will be 1.8 m³. The volume of the tank can also be determined from the catalog of factory types of heat accumulators, comparing their technical characteristics, which may be suitable for the required area of the room.
Self-production
To make it easier to make a heat accumulator for heating boilers with your own hands, it is best to choose a rectangular structure. For this, parts made of corrugated sheet steel are suitable, since they have increased rigidity.
The presence of a welding machine is mandatory, since all the main assembly work is carried out using this unit. In addition to steel sheets, you will need a metal corner to install the spacers.
The fact is that the structure will work under pressure, so it should be strengthened. First, the internal container is welded, spreading the opposite walls with corners. Then the outer case is assembled, which will be slightly larger in size so that there is enough space for installing the insulation.
One side of the casing is not closed; an inner container is inserted through it. Then the pipes are welded into the working tank to connect the heating system, safety valve, drain valve, and the voids between it and the casing are filled with insulation.
Mineral wool or polyurethane foam is suitable for this. Next, the casing wall is welded and the heat accumulator is connected to the heating system. Do not forget to check for leaks after welding the structures.
