Expansion tank for closed heating: operating principle and device + how to choose and install in the system

Properly selected and connected expansion tank for closed heating plays an important role. It will protect the heating circuit and extend the working life of the equipment. A closed sealed container eliminates the need to repair the system endlessly and change devices. It’s worth getting to know her. Truth?

We will talk about how to choose a closed model of the expansion tank in accordance with the technical data of the system. We will show you how to correctly install and connect it. In addition, the article provides recommendations that must be observed to extend the life of the equipment.

Purpose of closed tanks

All of them, regardless of volume, performance, are designed to level the expansion coolant (special liquids, water), which occurs when its temperature rises.

This is done in order to avoid destructive water hammerdamage to fittings, fittings, pipe rupture heating systemsextruding pads.

Any closed tank is a steel sealed tank, divided into parts by an elastic membrane, which changes its position with increasing / decreasing temperature of the coolant

Example: the heat carrier (water) expands by four percent with an increase in temperature to 95 ° C. What is enough for the failure of an engineering system.

Expanzomat device and components

Any such modern product consists of the following structural elements:

• housing;
• chambers for the heat carrier;
• a gas chamber where ordinary air or inert gas is pumped;
• membranes.

The option of filling the gas chamber with inert gas is more preferable, because it provides the tank with greater durability. But ordinary air is more affordable.

The membrane is made of elastic materials, therefore it is able to change its position with increasing or decreasing temperature of the coolant. This structural element can be of diaphragm or balloon type, while the principle of operation is the same for them.

Tanks are connected to the heating system using a special pipe. A valve is provided for pumping gas. Closed-type containers are made in horizontal or vertical layout, which facilitates a complete set of the heating system.

Modern expansion tanks intended for use in heating systems come in various sizes, shapes, and their performance characteristics are radically different. All of the above allows you to make the best choice in any situation.

Capacities intended for installation in closed heating systemsare equipped with pressure gauges for monitoring internal pressure. Similar products intended for installation in systems of ordinary private houses operate at low loads not exceeding 3.5-4 bar, therefore they do not need measuring instruments.

And also on sale you can find two types of tanks:

• with a non-replaceable or stationary diaphragm type membrane, that is, a rush, the wear of which will lead to the replacement of the entire device;
• with replaceable balloon type membrane.

In the first case, the products differ in a more affordable price, in the second, greater functionality, maintainability and durability.

The design of the flange tanks allows the worn or damaged membrane to be replaced, and in some cases it will even be possible to do it yourself. And replaceable membranes are able to withstand more pressure.

The scheme of action of the expansion tank

When the coolant is cold, the tank membrane occupies the largest possible space. With increasing temperature, the pressure on it increases.

As a result, this structural element overcomes the resistance of an inert gas or air and changes its position, freeing up more space for the resulting excess liquid.

Expansion tanks do not participate in the process of heating the premises, but their task is more than important. Since each such product prevents damage to the heating system, which can occur due to water shocks and increased pressure of the coolant

When the coolant cools, the reverse process occurs, described above. And then the cycles are repeated many times.

Tank Recommendations

The most important feature that you should pay attention to when choosing a model expansion tankis the volume of its reservoir. For closed systems with a small circuit, the volume of the coolant in which does not exceed 150 l, the capacity is easy to calculate.

So, it should be:

• when using water as a heat carrier, 10% of the volume of the entire heating system (for example, if this indicator is 100 liters, then the expansion tank should hold at least 10 liters);
• when using glycolic liquid as the heat carrier, 15% of the volume of the heating system.

In the latter case, the capacity should be more impressive due to the greater expansion coefficient of the specified antifreeze.

The advantage of modern expansion tanks is the reaction of their membrane to any change in the temperature of the coolant. What guarantees safety of use. But it should be remembered that tanks are designed to work in certain conditions, so they must be selected correctly.

The tank volume for more capacious systems, the circuit of which circulates more than 150 l, is most conveniently calculated using the parameter of the total system volume and the table for selecting the tank.

To calculate the total system volume, you can use the following methods:

1. Measure the volume of coolant circulating in all the individual elements of the system (boiler, radiators, pipelines), followed by a summation of the results. This method is highly labor intensive, but at the same time is the most accurate.
2. Multiply each kilowatt of boiler power by 15, assuming that on average about 15 liters of coolant are consumed per 1 kW. This method is simple, but it should be remembered that you can only trust the result when you are confident in the correct selection of the heating element for the system.
3. Drain all the water from the system and refill it, calculating the required displacement.

You can also use formulas or an online calculator to calculate the required tank volume. Why do you need to know the volume of the coolant, its temperature and pressure in the system.

The method with the formulas is more complicated and the volume obtained as a result of the calculations will not differ significantly from the rough calculation given above. Moreover, the found value has to be rounded up.

Many manufacturers of expansion tanks offer consumers assistance in selecting the right tank. To do this, provide tables to facilitate the selection. True, they must indicate that the information provided is of a recommendatory nature and, in any case, the buyer bears responsibility

The most practical solution when choosing will be an expansion tank designed for closed heating systems, equipped with safety valve.

The reason is that when pressure is thrown to critical standards, the device will come into operation and release it. That is, this valve is able to significantly increase the safety of the entire heating system.

When buying a tank, it should be borne in mind that red paint is most often used to designate the expansion tanks used for heating.

This feature will help to distinguish the desired product from other similar ones, for example, similar in size and shape of the tanks for water supply - accumulatorswhich are predominantly coated with blue enamel.

But if necessary, you can find tanks of various colors, which will help to place the desired in any room without reducing its aesthetic qualities.

Tanks can be horizontal or vertical, and manufacturers also make it possible to mount them in different places. For this product are equipped with various devices. And when buying, you should pay attention to this, determining the best option in advance

You should also pay attention when choosing the quality of the materials used in the manufacture of the container body, membrane. And there is a guarantee for the purchased equipment and manuals for installing and connecting it to the system.

How to install?

Any significant restrictions affecting the location expansion tank installation in the system, no. Nevertheless, it is advisable to install at any convenient point on the return pipe of the existing heating system.

The reason is that the coolant there is cooler. And this allows you to significantly extend the resource of the expansion tank, its membrane.

In addition, if you install a tank near a solid fuel boiler, then in certain situations, steam can enter the coolant chamber. As a result, the capacity will lose the ability to compensate for the expansion of the coolant.

There are two ways to install the tank. These include installation:

• on the wall;
• On the floor.

But it should be understood that the first option is intended only for cases when the expansion capacity has a moderate volume.

Tanks should be installed as far from boilers as possible. And the best solution would be to find it in the return line. Since the temperature of the coolant there is significantly lower, which eliminates premature membrane failure

Do not save on connecting the tank to the heating system.

So this procedure should be performed using:

• a shut-off valve with a so-called “American” - this structural element will allow you to quickly decommission the tank, and if necessary replace it, without waiting for the coolant to cool;
• tee with a drain cock, which will allow you to quickly empty it before replacing the tank;
• pressure gauge for measuring pressure;
• safety valve or nipple for adjusting the pressure inside the equipment.

After installing the tank, it will have to be properly configured, taking into account the manufacturer's recommendations given in the instructions for the purchased equipment. So that the pressure in the tank is appropriate, i.e. smaller than in the system, which will allow the membrane to deform when the coolant is heated.

If the calculations were not performed correctly and a tank of a smaller volume is placed in the heating system, then it will not cope with its duties, but you can correct the error.

Why do you need to purchase and install a second capacity in the system. The capacity of which is the difference between the required volume and the available tank in the system. This method will reduce financial losses.

Operational Maintenance

It must be remembered that during breaks in use, tanks, like other components of the heating system, should be emptied, followed by drying. This item should not be ignored, as its non-observance will lead to corrosion and reduce the life of the unit.

The main structural element that responds to pressure changes from the coolant side is an elastic membrane. On which, on the one hand, a neutral gas (for example, nitrogen) or air acts, and on the other hand, pressure from the coolant. And the membrane takes a position depending on which side is the stronger effect

When using any closed tank, owners should regularly perform a number of simple operations.

Which include:

• periodic inspections for corrosion, mechanical damage - such a procedure should be carried out twice a year;
• checking the pressure in the system, which is carried out every six months;
• periodic inspections of the integrity of the membrane - such operations are performed according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

And besides, throughout the operation, users will have to comply with the requirements for acceptable temperature and pressure standards.

For repair of tanks, exclusively original components should be used, as this will ensure not only the desired performance, but also safety of use.

With the rules and features of the selection of the expansion tank for open heating systems will introduce next article read which is worth the owners of houses with open heating circuits.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The first video will help to understand the features of modern expansion tanks, their correct choice:

The following video will provide an opportunity to understand how to correctly install the purchased expansion tank:

The closed tank is a practical, durable, efficient and safe solution for the heating system. But in order to get the expected result, it is necessary to make the right choice and installation of the product in the heating system and its setting.

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