Everyone wants to have an economical and, at the same time, ideal heating system in their home. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen in life.
It is enough for designers to make a mistake in hydraulic or thermal calculations, and additional expenses for the heating system are provided.
Incorrectly selected heating fittings will also contribute. In order for the heating system to perform its functions reliably and correctly, heating engineers have in their arsenal various ways achieving this goal.
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The need for balancing
The design of a heating system assumes that at each heating point the heating device will produce required quantity heat. Unfortunately, in practice this does not always look like this.
This picture is especially noticeable in multi-storey buildings. It is not uncommon to see a picture where the lower floors are literally suffocating from the heat, while at the same time the radiators on the upper floors are lukewarm.
The same situation arises with the heating of entrances. It is much warmer in the one located closer to the DHW inlet into the house.
This difference in temperature difference is explained by the fact that the closer the heating radiator is to the input hot water, the more heat it receives. Naturally, he gives. Remote heating devices receive less heat, so they are cooler. This means that the hydraulic adjustment of the system is broken. The balance of heat distribution has disappeared.
There are few reasons for system imbalance. The main ones are:
- errors in system installation;
- error in the project or its change;
- airing of the system;
- mismanagement of the heating system;
- ignoring seasonal maintenance.
It becomes necessary to adjust it to restore uniform heating. As a result of this work, each heating device will receive the calculated amount of heat. The temperature will even out, the whole house will be equally warm. To achieve this goal, balancing valves are used.
It is worth noting: installation balancing system will ensure uniform heating of each heating device in the house.
Types of cranes
Manual ones are designed to configure the network during its installation, and automatic ones change the parameters of the heating network during its operation.
When selecting a valve, it is necessary to take into account many parameters, which include:
- type and parameters of the coolant;
- classification of buildings;
- adjustment parameters;
- installation location in the system;
- purpose of the system.
The types of heating systems depend on the coolant used in them. This could be water, steam, antifreeze. The performance of the system will directly depend on them.
The type of building where the balancing valve will be installed is of great importance. The location of the valve is also important - the supply and return pipelines have very wide differences between each other. Therefore, the balancing devices installed on them will also be different.
The purpose of the system is very important. According to their characteristics, hot and cold water supply and heating systems have quite large discrepancies. For example, in a domestic hot water system only thermostatic balancing valves are used. Therefore, the choice of balancing valve is not the same simple matter, as it seems at first.
Principle of operation
Turning the adjustment handle changes the position of the valve spool. As a result, the size of the section between it and the saddle changes.
Thus, the coolant, passing through a large or small section of the valve, changes its pressure as the throughput changes. Thus, by adjusting the pressure, it is possible to achieve uniform heat distribution for each heating device.
For automatic adjustment For heat distribution, two balancing valves are installed in the system - on the input circuit and in the return circuit. They are connected to each other. The balancing effect of the system will take place automatically.
But to do this, you will need to correctly adjust and configure the entire heating system at the very beginning, at the first start. If all the manufacturer's requirements are met, the balancing equipment works flawlessly.
Note: Some people mistakenly, on the advice of local “Kulibins,” try to install a ball valve instead of a balancing valve. The absurdity of such an idea becomes obvious immediately after the system is launched. The valve does not relate to the control valves on any side.
Installation
When performing installation, you must perform the following operations:
- check the installation of the system;
- cut a thread at the valve installation site;
- prepare the valve for installation;
- install the valve in its place in the system;
- install in front of the valve.
After installing the balancing valve, it must be adjusted. This process is accessible only to specialists and requires special equipment and knowledge.
Take into account: You shouldn’t even try to install a heating balancing system yourself. IN best case scenario the system will not give the expected effect, in the worst case, you will have to redo the heating system.
Control valves are produced by several manufacturers. Among them, one of the leading places belongs to such well-known companies as Danfoss (Danfoss), Broen, Meibes. The list can be continued.
A wide selection allows you to navigate by price and quality. Parameters such as quality and reliability provide the consumer not only with comfort, but also ultimately with significant savings.
Watch the video in which a specialist explains in detail the design and operating features of a manual balancing valve:
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Operation heating system often accompanied by uneven distribution of coolant throughout the circuit and connected devices. This can lead to pressure and temperature changes that negatively affect heating efficiency and can damage equipment. A balancing valve helps prevent these consequences, various models which are sold by Forsterm.
Manual balancing valve: operating principle and purpose
This device is a type of pipeline fittings and is used for the calculated distribution of coolant along the circuit and equalization of its pressure and temperature. Regardless of what design the balancing valve has, its operating principle is based on changing bandwidth pipeline by increasing or decreasing the flow area. This is achieved by gradually moving the spool relative to the inlet of the device, and therefore the device allows for smooth adjustment.
Videos, diagrams of balancing systems
By using a flow meter, flow balancing operations are simplified since the flow value can be read and adjusted at any time without resorting to differential pressure gauges and reference graphs.
Video: circuit balancing devices
The differential pressure regulator maintains constant, at a set value, the pressure difference existing between two points in the hydraulic circuit.
Video: balancing valve - operating principle and diagram (flow stabilizer)
AUTOFLOW devices are capable of automatically balancing the hydraulic circuit, ensuring the design flow at each terminal. Even if the circuit is partially closed due to control valves, the flow rates in the open circuits remain constant at nominal values. The system always provides best comfort and provides the greatest energy savings.
Range of balancing valves for heating systems
In the catalog you can choose pipeline fittings the following types:
- manual balancing valve - such a device is regulated using a valve and is used in systems with constant pressure levels, such as home heating and water supply;
- automatic balancing valve - such valves are equipped with electric or electrothermal actuators and are suitable for installation in systems with dynamically changing pressure that require fast and accurate response.
The catalog also presents various components that optimize and expand the functionality of valves, in particular flow stabilizers and actuators.
The functionality of existing devices can significantly increase the efficiency of heating or water supply. Their use will extend the operational life of the equipment, reduce noise in the water supply and the likelihood of pressure surges. In our catalog you can find detailed information technical description, which accompanies each balancing valve for the heating system, and Forsterm employees will provide detailed instructions on the selection, installation and operation of this valve.
Whatever the heating system, it requires adjustment, which can be done in a certain way. This is necessary so that the parameters in individual areas are close to the calculated ones. This makes it possible to achieve operational efficiency. To adjust you can use different means, however, the most common and modern is the balancing valve, the operating principle of which is presented in the article.
Need for use
Heating systems require balancing, which is a hydraulic adjustment. The purpose of these manipulations is to bring the individual branches of the circuit to the required value, only in this way will the required amount of heat flow to each radiator. If we are talking about simple systems, the required coolant flow is ensured using correctly selected pipe diameters.
Use in complex systems
Complex systems require adjustment in their operation using special washers, the size of the passage of which ensures the flow of water in the required volume. The listed methods are outdated, today they are used modern way, which is expressed in the installation of balancing valves. These devices are manual valves that are used to regulate the flow of coolant. The mechanism has an addition that blocks the flow; fittings are used for this.
Principle of operation
Once you have learned what the operating principle of which will be described below is used for, you can begin installing the device. First, you need to understand the principle. To do this, you can imagine a dead-end branch that has several radiators, the latter acting as energy consumers. A certain volume of coolant, heated to the design temperature, is supplied to them through the pipes. It is determined depending on how much thermal energy will be needed to heat the premises.
It is used when there are no radiators and the water flow for each of them is constant. The mentioned device should be located on the return pipeline, in a place where it can be inserted into the common line. This allows you to carry out the necessary measurements by setting the valve to the required number of revolutions. Definite constant flow water in the regulated branch will be guaranteed. However, users quite often encounter that the flow rate changes; this can happen when thermostatic regulators are installed on radiators. They are designed to control the intensity of heating of the room and create an obstacle in the way of water, reducing the volume of its flow. At the same time, in reverse common pipeline The coolant volume flow rate will change.
For reference
A manual balancing valve will guarantee a certain volume of coolant, which will allow you to achieve the desired effect when the number of batteries is small and does not reach 5 pieces. If you limit the control limits of thermostats, then the existing circuit can be easily customized. If the number of radiators is more than mentioned, then they will go to waste. The thermostat installed on the first battery will block the flow of coolant, which will cause an increase in flow on the second radiator. The valve on it will close, the flow will move to the third radiator, and so on. Ultimately, such work will lead to the fact that some batteries will overheat unnecessarily, while others will remain cold, and the branch will become unbalanced. The automatic balancing valve must be installed on a riser or branch with a sufficiently large quantity heating devices, only then the system will work smoothly.
Operating principle of a valve on a riser with a large number of radiators
If an automatic balancing valve is used under the conditions described above, then the operating principle is somewhat different. The valve is adjusted to the maximum design water flow. During operation, when the thermostat of any battery reduces hot water consumption, the pressure in the area will begin to increase. Automatic regulator will receive an impulse through a capillary tube, this will allow the device to quickly respond by adjusting the water flow, then the remaining thermostats will not have time to operate, the flow will not be blocked, and the system will remain hydraulically balanced.
Classification
The balancing valve, the operating principle of which was described above, is offered for sale in a wide range. Before you make a purchase, you must understand the classification. Thus, when choosing, you need to consider design parameters systems at the installation point. The master must pay attention to maximum pressure working environment and nominal parameter, and also take into account the pressure difference in the return and supply circuits.
The valve may belong to one or another class depending on the area of use. Thus, the devices are used at facilities individual construction, housing and communal services, in conditions industrial facilities and on sections of main pipelines. The balancing valve, the operating principle of which you should know before purchasing the device, can be selected according to the type of piping system, which is designed for air conditioning, hot or cold water supply, cooling or heating. Among other things, the devices described differ in the type of coolant, such as steam, water or glycol solution. According to the type of installation, valves are divided into fixed and adjustable.
Main types of valves
If you are interested in the MSV balancing valve, then it is offered for sale in a wide variety; among other models, you can see devices with manual adjustment, with which it is easy to configure separate areas systems and the entire pipeline, determining the pressure and flow of the medium at control points. Using manual balancing valves, you can turn off individual areas, freeing them from the working coolant. The main advantage is low cost, but you should pay attention to some disadvantages. Among the main ones is the ability to set balance only for average calculated parameters direct current. When the flow fluctuates, what happens in water supply systems, the balancing may be disrupted.
An automatic balancing valve, the price of which is 6,000 rubles, can be automatic; it is installed on the return and inlet circuits. Another type of valve provides the ability to regulate the temperature of the working environment.
Installation Features
If you decide to purchase a Danfoss balancing valve, you should first familiarize yourself with the installation features. In order to guarantee the accuracy of measurements, there must be sections of pipe without bends before and after the device. The length of the section will depend on the diameter. Before the valve, the length of the straight pipe should be equal to 5 pipe diameters, after the valve the length should be two diameters or more. If these recommendations are not taken into account when installing a Danfoss balancing valve, the error in measurements can reach 20%.
Most modern users perceive the heating system as a set of pipes and radiators, supplemented by a heating boiler and. But such opinions are erroneous. It also contains a number of auxiliary components, without which the heating operation, to put it mildly, would not be of very high quality. One of these elements is a balancing tap or valve.
Purpose
A balancing valve in a heating system is used to ensure proper distribution of heat transfer. That is, there are times when in one room the batteries are hotter than required, and in another they are much colder than desired. That is, improper distribution of the coolant occurs. This means that adjustment is required to correct this situation.
A balancing valve is a type of shut-off valve through which hydraulic resistance is regulated. This is achieved by changing the cross-sectional diameter of the pipe in a certain area.
IN Lately when designing heating (for both multi-apartment and private houses). However, what should owners of ready-made heating systems do?
There are several “symptoms” that indicate the need to install shut-off valves of this type:
- Absence comfortable temperature even at maximum load.
- Significant fluctuations in room temperature with a constantly equal load in the heating system.
- Difficulties in starting the system - inability to reach rated power.
All this indicates that it is necessary to install a balancing valve and carry out regulation. It will allow you to adjust the flow of coolant to one or another part of the system.
Benefits of use
Installing a balancing valve will help solve the above problems in heating operation.
In addition, the following advantages of using this equipment can be highlighted:
- Reduced costs - that is, owners of private houses note that after balancing the system, the amount of fuel consumed decreases.
- Increasing indoor comfort - you can achieve a more suitable temperature level for each individual room.
- No difficulties during startup - the use of balancing fittings will simplify the startup of the system as much as possible.
The element is installed using special fittings and adapters. In this case, you should be careful: some taps can be installed on pipes with a certain direction of coolant movement.
On such taps there is a special arrow that shows in which direction the water should move in the pipe. If you install the valve without following this instruction, an attempt to regulate the system with its help may result in breakdown of the element itself and malfunction of the entire heating system.
If it is difficult for you to install a balancing valve yourself, then You can order this service from professional installers. Write in the form on the right on our website - and a consultant will advise you on prices for services and answer additional questions.
Regulation
After installing the valve, using special equipment, measurements are taken to determine to what level adjustment is required. Some experts call this method quite labor intensive.
Important: before carrying out the balancing procedure, you should start the heating system, connect the necessary measuring equipment– this will make it possible to determine the quality of work.
More accurate balancing results can be obtained by dividing the heating system into separate segments and adding balancing fittings to each of them. In this case, the balancing procedure itself will take considerable time - it will be necessary to adjust each individual valve. But the results will be much better.
Content
For the heating system to function effectively, the actual parameters of its operation must be close to the calculated values. It is important to ensure proper distribution of coolant flows along the circuits, stable pressure and temperature regime. This range of problems can be solved by a special device - a balancing valve for the heating system.
Balancing valves used for heating systems
Purpose of the device
All branches of the heating system must receive the calculated amount of coolant. Earlier simple systems regulated through the use of pipes of different diameters. In complex ones, special washers were installed, by shifting which it was possible to change the cross-section of the pipeline. Today, a special valve is used that operates on the principle of a valve.
The balancing valve is equipped with two fittings, thanks to which:
- the pressure of the coolant flow is measured before and after passing through the valve;
- a capillary tube is connected to allow adjustment.
Based on the readings of the device, it is possible to determine the pressure drop when water passes through the regulator, and calculate, according to the instructions, how many turns of the handle are required to optimize the operation of the heating system.
Note! A number of manufacturers offer balancing valves with a digital display, but such devices are more expensive.
Cross-section of balancing valve Principle of operation
Let's look at why balancing the heating system is necessary and how it happens. If several heating radiators are connected to a dead-end pipe branch and are not equipped with thermostats, the coolant flow for each heating device will be constant. To ensure that the required amount of heated water reaches each of the devices, a manual regulator is installed on the return line, at the point where the pipe connects to the common line. Its valve is set to a certain number of revolutions in order to reduce or increase the diameter of the passage hole.
But this option is not suitable for a system with constantly changing coolant flow. In this case, a balancing valve is required, the principle of which allows you to reduce the volume of heated water supplied by creating an obstacle in the flow path.
The manual balancer is designed to stabilize the coolant flow for 4-5 heating devices. If there are more radiators in the system, their heating will be uneven.
By setting the balancing valve for the heating system to maximum flow, we get the following situation: the thermostat responsible for regulating any of the radiators will reduce the consumption of the heated coolant, as a result of which the pressure in the system will begin to gradually increase.
The balancing valve will receive a signal of increasing pressure (a capillary tube is used for this) and will operate, adjusting the flow of liquid. Due to the fact that the thermostats on the remaining radiators do not have time to shut off the coolant supply, the pressure in the system and coolant consumption will be balanced.
Design
Control valves vary in design. IN classic version the device is equipped with a straight rod and a flat spool; adjustment occurs by changing the flow area between the spool and the seat. Forward movement the spool is ensured by rotating the handle.
Balancers are also available with a rod located at an angle relative to the coolant flow; the spool can have a cone-shaped, radial or cylindrical shape, and driven by a servo drive.
Balancing valve design Types of devices
Balancing valve for a heating system, the operating principle of which depends on design features, can be mechanical (manual) and automatic.
Mechanical balancer
A manual balancing valve is installed instead of classic adjusting washers and similar devices. The mechanical regulator is designed to operate in a system with constant pressure of the transported medium. Using a mechanical valve, you can not only ensure the required cross-section of the pipeline, but also disconnect a separate heating device from the network and drain the coolant from it through a special tap. The manual valve is inexpensive and can be equipped with devices for measuring the pressure in the system on both sides of the regulator and the actual flow of the transported medium.
Mechanical balancing valve Automatic balancer
An automatic balancing valve is a device that allows you to quickly change the operating parameters of an autonomous heating network in accordance with pressure drops and consumption of heated coolant. Automatic balancers are installed in pairs on each pipeline.
The balancer and shut-off valve on the supply pipeline sets a limit on the coolant flow in accordance with the design requirements. A valve is installed on the return line to prevent sudden pressure changes. This approach makes it possible to divide the heating system into separate sections that can function independently of each other. Pressure equalization and coolant supply adjustment are carried out automatically.
Automatic balancing valve Application options
The balancing valve is also activated:
- In a small circulation circuit of solid fuel heating boiler, closed to a heat accumulator. The regulator makes it possible to do without installation mixing unit to maintain the coolant temperature in the circuit at a level not lower than 60 degrees. The balancing valve on the supply pipe is responsible for ensuring that the coolant flow in the boiler circuit is higher than in the heating circuit.
- To regulate the operation of the boiler indirect heating. The balancer regulates the supply of heated coolant directly from the boiler to the coil installed in a container with water for domestic hot water.
Working Application balancing valve Installation and operation
The balancing valve is installed in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements. If there is an arrow on the body, the device is mounted so that the direction of the arrow coincides with the direction of flow of the transported medium so that the valve can create design resistance. Some manufacturers produce balancing valves that can be installed in any direction. The spatial arrangement of the rod is not important in most cases.
So that the valve does not fail due to mechanical damage, a branded filter or a standard mud pan is installed in front of it. To eliminate unwanted turbulence, it is recommended to install valves on straight sections of the pipeline, the minimum length of which is indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions.
If the heating system is equipped with automatic valves, it should be filled through special filling fittings installed next to the valves on the return pipe, while the balancing valves on the supply pipe are closed.
Setting up the balancing valve is carried out using a table with indicators of pressure drop and coolant flow (attached to the device) or using a flow meter for balancers. But the initial calculation of flow rate and operational parameters must be performed at the design stage of the heating system.
Assembled structure balancing valve In order for each balancing valve in the heating system to function properly, it is advisable to give preference to products from reputable manufacturers. These include regulators manufactured under the Danfoss brand (Denmark) and the Venturi series from BROEN BALLOREX (Poland).
Conclusion
It is recommended to use balance valves on all branches of the heating system, including underfloor heating circuits, as well as in the domestic hot water system. This will optimize their operation and save energy. It is important to choose high-quality devices, install them correctly and configure them correctly.