Electrode boiler principle of operation

Knowing the fundamentals of various heating systems can make a big difference in maintaining a warm and comfortable home. An increasingly popular system is the electrode boiler. Electrode boilers operate differently from traditional boilers in that they use electricity as their main power source instead of burning fuels like gas or oil to produce heat.

So what is the precise mechanism of an electrode boiler? All of this begins with the fundamental idea of electrical resistance. There are submerged electrodes made of conductive materials, like stainless steel, inside an electrode boiler. These electrodes heat up when an electric current flows through them due to resistance, which also heats the water surrounding them.

Fossil fuels are not burned in electrode boilers, in contrast to conventional boilers. They are therefore an eco-friendly choice for heating your home because they emit no emissions while operating. Furthermore, because they don’t require burning fuel, they don’t require chimneys or ventilation systems, which makes installation easier and requires less maintenance.

The efficiency of electrode boilers is an additional benefit. Compared to conventional heating techniques, they lose very little energy since they directly transform electrical energy into heat. In the long run, this can lead to cheaper energy costs and a more economical heating solution.

Moreover, electrode boilers provide flexible installation options. Whether you’re trying to heat a big house or a small apartment, they come in a variety of sizes to meet your needs. Additionally, homeowners can benefit from their versatility as they can be used as standalone units or integrated with pre-existing heating systems.

In conclusion, an understanding of the electrode boiler’s working principle clarifies its advantages and the reasons it’s growing in popularity as a home heating option. Electrode boilers are an attractive option for maintaining a warm and cozy home while lowering your carbon footprint because of their effectiveness, environmental friendliness, and adaptability.

Homemade electrode boiler, pros and cons

The benefits and drawbacks of factory-assembled and handcrafted ionic water heaters are nearly equal. Thus, using an industrial sample as an example, let’s examine the features of these devices that heat the coolant for the heating system. What are some good heaters for hydrolysis fluid? Among the benefits are attributable:

• very high efficiency, reaching, according to experts, up to 97 or even 98 percent, that is, the values of consumed electrical energy and released thermal energy during the operation of the unit are almost identical;
• all heating equipment is quite compact (the length of the water heating circuit reaches 60 cm, with a width of about 30 cm), which allows you to install it in small spaces;
• network voltage fluctuations does not damage the equipment, just changes the intensity of work, which, according to user feedback, is a great quality in the instability of the current in our power grids;
• rapid heating of water in the heating system;
• comparative efficiency of heating.

The following are some of the drawbacks of using such heating equipment:

• formation of hydrolysis gases during operation, which need to be regularly removed;
• high electricity consumption
• the need to arrange grounding to prevent electric shock.

Electrode boiler with their own hands

After learning how these devices work on principle, let’s look at how to make an electrode boiler by hand. To start, you must get ready and ready for everything you need for work:

• electrode;
• metal spigots;
• electric wires (preferably copper with a cross-section of at least 3 mm);
• polyamide insulation for the electrode;
• steel pipe for the body.

An electric welding apparatus is also required for the task.

Let us now examine the manufacturing and installation process of the electrode boiler step by step:

1. A section of steel pipe should be prepared as follows. Make threads on both sides. One end is blinded, and a socket with an electrode is screwed into the other end.
2. Round holes are cut in the pipe at both ends on opposite sides of the pipe. Inlet and outlet metal sockets with threads are welded here for connection to the heat supply lines.
3. Two bolts are welded to the side surface of the casing: for earthing and neutral wire.
4. The device is installed in the heating system, for which purpose the corresponding pipes are connected to the available sockets.
5. The terminal of the plus wire is connected to the electrode, and the terminals of the neutral cable and ground wire are connected to the welded bolts.
6. The heating circuit must also include a pressure gauge, a hydrolysis gas venting device and a fuse system.
7. The system is filled with properly prepared coolant and the heating is started.

Since we’re talking about electricity, which has the potential to cause irreversible health damage, please take all necessary safety precautions when building, installing, and operating the ionic heating boiler on your own. As a result, follow the safety guidelines.

The principle of operation of the electrode boiler.

The basic physical principle is as follows: an electric current is directly passed through the coolant in the heating system to heat it. The electrode group is connected to the electric network’s phases, and the boiler drum is connected to the zero. Additionally, the heating element in a traditional electric boiler is connected to the mains. Take a look at the following image to gain more clarity:

There is some resistance in the coolant, which leads to heat generation. Generally speaking, choosing coolant for these boilers is a challenging task:

• Distilled water is not suitable because it does not conduct electricity.
• Water with added table salt can cause accelerated corrosion of metal parts of the system and scaling of electrodes.

Manufacturers of these heating devices typically state in their passports that the boiler is only compatible with their coolant, which may contain "special" corrosion inhibitors or other ingredients. My suspicion is that this is being done in order to deny warranty service in the event that the customer uses a different liquid. Propylene or ethylene glycol is what the manufacturers advise using in electrode boilers. You can read my article about low freezing coolants if it piques your interest. Let’s talk about another matter now.

In this article, we delve into the fundamental principle behind electrode boilers for heating homes. Unlike traditional boilers that burn fuel, electrode boilers use electricity to generate heat. They work by passing electric current through water, causing resistance that heats up the water. This heated water then flows through the home"s heating system to provide warmth. The simplicity of this process makes electrode boilers efficient and environmentally friendly, as they don"t produce harmful emissions like combustion-based systems. Additionally, they offer precise control over temperature and can be easily integrated into existing heating setups. Understanding how electrode boilers operate can help homeowners make informed decisions about their heating needs, ultimately contributing to energy efficiency and comfort in the home.

Comparison of efficiency of electrode and conventional electric boiler.

Electrode boilers are highly praised by manufacturers for their high efficiency. The coolant is directly heated by the electric current, which accounts for the absence of losses. However, they say nothing about losses when using heating elements for some reason. To serve as a reminder of their construction, here is a picture:

The metal tube, periclase filler, and nichrome spiral are heated in order inside the heating element. There are no internal air spaces to retain heat because the entire structure is tightly rolled. As a result, heating water uses up practically all of the energy released on the nichrome spiral. In the same way as the electrode boiler.

Manufacturers also state that the electrode boiler heats water more quickly than the heating element boiler. due to the fact that the boiler’s whole volume is heated by the water." This is a contentious argument as well. The boiler has a small amount of water inside and requires a lot of power to heat. There will undoubtedly be a time benefit, but it probably won’t matter to you. Furthermore, the 30% savings that are promised will not materialize.

Another crucial factor is the system’s heating medium’s temperature. It does this because its resistance decreases with increasing temperature. And as a result, power consumption rises:

For this reason, the temperature of the heat transfer medium should not exceed 50°. And what this will mean for you? That"s another ambiguity! For example, the heat output of aluminum radiators is measured based on the condition that the temperature of the heat transfer medium is 90° and the temperature of the air in the room is 20°. At a lower temperature of the heat carrier you will need to increase the number of sections of radiators. So, for example, is done in the heating system called "Leningradka", where the most distant from the riser or boiler radiators should be with a large number of sections. The more sections, the more expensive the heating system will be. The only option with such a temperature of the heat transfer medium is water underfloor heating. But it should be remembered that for our cold climate they are not suitable as the main heating system.

The takeaway from everything mentioned above is this: the electrode boiler has additional operational challenges rather than any unique efficiency advantage over a traditional electric boiler. We’ll discuss additional challenges down below.

Difficulties in the operation of electrode boilers.

Apart from the previously mentioned items, there exist certain "peculiarities" in the way these heating devices function.

• The need to monitor the condition of the coolant. The properties of the coolant change with time under the influence of electric current, and the power consumption depends on these very properties.
• The need to ground all metal parts everywhere – pipes radiators etc. Earthing systems are expensive and complicated
• Faster process of metal corrosion under the influence of electricity. Electrocorrosion phenomena destroy not only ferrous, but also stainless steel grades.
• High probability of denial of warranty service of the equipment. In order not to be unsubstantiated I will quote excerpts from the passport on the electrode boiler:

Overall, a lot of issues with a single device.

Summary of the article.

Undoubtedly, the electrode boiler represents a compelling technical solution. However, it has numerous, grave issues with how it operates. Yet, aside from the claims made by producers and vendors, there is no proof of its economic viability. I should also mention that, for some reason I’m not aware of, no known heating equipment manufacturer makes electrode boilers. It’s possible that these issues are the root of it.

Making an ionic boiler at home

• Appointment of electrode boilers
• Device and principle of operation of electrode boilers
• Advantages and disadvantages of ionic boilers
• Installation and operation of the boiler
• Making an electrode boiler with your own hands

An electric heating boiler of a private home or vacation cottage is called an electrode boiler (also known as an ionic boiler). The primary distinction is that a block of electrodes serves as the primary heating element in place of the customary heating elements. The low efficiency and short lifespan of conventional electric boilers have been resolved by this replacement.

One type of electric boiler is the electrode boiler. Their heating element is a block of electrodes, which makes a difference.

Electrode boilers are highly efficient in spite of their straightforward design. In these types of boilers, the coolant’s movement—which is powered by electricity—heats the water.

Because of the design’s simplicity, you can create an electrode boiler by hand.

However, you must comprehend the gadget and how these kinds of devices work before you begin working.

Purpose of electrode boilers

Any kind of building, residential or commercial, can be heated with an ion boiler. Furthermore, electrode boilers are best used in the garage, greenhouse, or dacha. The use of an open or closed heating system has no bearing on a boiler’s efficiency. Ionic systems can be used to heat water if the heating is two-circuit, meaning that the coolant won’t enter the boiler. Lastly, heat curtains or underfloor heating work best with electrode boilers.

Device and principle of operation of electrode boilers

Schematic diagram showing the electrode boiler’s mechanism.

All electrode pumps are constructed as all-metal tubes that are covered in polyamide, which serves as an insulator. The coolant, power, and grounding terminals’ inlets and outlets are welded into the tube. One side of the tube is securely sealed, and the electrode block is inserted into it and kept separate from the body by polyamide nuts on the other.

The length of boilers sold in the store usually does not exceed 600 mm with an average diameter of 320 mm. Power of devices varies from 2 kW (for heating of premises with volume up to 80 m ³ ) to 50 kW (for large premises with internal volume up to 1600 m ³ ). In this case, the boilers are divided into single-phase (power from 2 to 6 kW, used for heating private homes) and three-phase (power from 9 to 50 kW, used for heating industrial buildings and structures). The energy consumption of boilers is optimal when the temperature of the coolant inside the boiler reaches 75°C. If the temperature is lower, the energy consumption is also lower, because at lower temperatures the coolant has a lower electrical conductivity. If the temperature exceeds this mark, the energy consumption will also increase.

Schematic diagram showing the electrode electric boiler’s operation and mechanism.

The majority of contemporary electrode boilers come with a startup unit and an automatic control system that guards against voltage surges. More costly models may come with a remote control that includes a gsm module. For best energy consumption, the coolant’s temperature is maintained by the presence of a controller.

Ionic boilers are classified as open or closed boilers based on how the coolant is distributed within the heating system. In open systems, as the system heats up, the coolant flows naturally through the radiator before exiting and returning to the boiler. An expansion tank and a circulation pump are features of closed systems that are necessary for the first phase of coolant heating.

Benefits and drawbacks of ionic boilers

Graph showing how well the TEN boiler and electrode perform.

Electrode boilers have the following advantages over electric boilers:

• they have a high efficiency index (reaches 95-98%). Such a high indicator is explained by the simplicity of the device and the principle of heating the coolant;
• they do not have the so-called "dry run". The coolant is a full-fledged participant of the electric circuit, which excludes overheating in its absence. If water leaves the system, the circuit will simply open without any negative consequences;
• they are very economical, because at the temperature of the coolant below 75 ° C, as mentioned above, the energy consumption is minimal. Therefore, if you are satisfied with heating the room with radiators with the temperature of the coolant below this mark, the energy saving becomes tangible;
• they are faster, compared to conventional electric boilers, reach operating temperatures and as quickly cool down, which has a positive effect on the use of automatic control system;
• they do not suffer from voltage fluctuations. If the voltage in the network has fallen, the boiler will only work with less power, but will not turn off completely;
• they have much smaller dimensions for optimal use in private homes and summer houses.

Nevertheless, electrode boilers have drawbacks in addition to advantages:

Seasonal temperature variations and the electrode boiler’s electricity consumption schedule.

• ionic boilers work only with alternating power sources, as at direct current water electrolysis occurs. Therefore, such boilers cannot operate from emergency power systems, such as batteries;
• electrode systems are demanding to the quality of the coolant. The lower the conductivity of the coolant, the lower the boiler output. In addition, the boiler output decreases with the formation of scale;
• when installing the boiler must be grounded, as the risk of electric shock when the insulator breakdown is significantly higher than in the case of tehnovyh boilers;
• as mentioned earlier, it is not worth heating the coolant above 75°C, as this will lead to increased energy consumption;
• the ingress of air into the chamber where the water is heated leads to accelerated corrosion processes;
• it is not possible to use water from a single-circuit heating system with an ionic boiler, as it is saturated with free ions;
• It is necessary to have electrical knowledge to take into account the peculiarities of water conductivity. This knowledge is necessary to control the operation of the boiler.

Installation and operation of the boiler

When installing the boiler, automatic air vents, a pressure gauge, and a safety valve are essential. The expansion tank should come before the shut-off valves.

Schematic for the electrode boiler’s standard connection.

Due to the nature of their operation, electrode boilers must be fixed strictly vertically and have a separate fixing to the surface. The heating system pipes’ first 1200 mm ought to be made of metal rather than galvanized. Metal-plastic pipes may comprise the remainder of the system.

Connecting the copper ground wire to the neutral terminal—typically found at the boiler’s bottom—requires that it have a minimum cross-section of 4 mm and a resistance of no more than 4 Ohm.

Before installing the boiler, the heating system must be flushed with special agents to maximize boiler efficiency.

The heating system needs to be flushed with water and special agents before the ionic boiler is installed. These instructions are typically found in the device’s passport. The boiler’s efficiency decreases if the system is not properly cleaned or if low-quality coolant containing impurities is used.

Selection of radiators for a heating system with ionic boiler depends on the total volume of the system, that is, the literage of all radiators and pipes. The optimum literage of the heating system should be about 8 liters for each kW of boiler output. If this norm is exceeded, the boiler will work more time, which will increase energy consumption. Radiators in the system with ionic boiler should be bimetallic or aluminum, as other alloys contain a large number of impurities that will affect the electrical conductivity of water. If the system is of an open type, the radiators should have an internal polymer coating, as access to air accelerates corrosion processes. Closed type systems are devoid of this disadvantage.

It is practically unacceptable to use cast iron radiators because of their high impurity content, which lowers boiler efficiency, and their large volume, which increases energy consumption.

An understanding of the electrode boiler’s working principle clarifies the boiler’s importance in home insulation and heating systems. Electrode boilers are a cleaner and more effective alternative to conventional boilers, which rely on fossil fuels to produce heat. Instead, electrode boilers use electricity. By using electrodes submerged in water to conduct electric current and generate heat, this technology takes advantage of the conductivity of water.

The ease of use and simplicity of design of electrode boilers is one of their main benefits. Compared to conventional boilers, they have fewer moving parts, which increases their dependability and lowers maintenance costs. Because of their simplicity and ease of installation, electrode boilers are a sensible option for both new construction and heating system retrofits.

Additionally, electrode boilers offer fine-grained control over heating output, enabling homeowners to modify temperatures in accordance with their energy requirements and comfort preferences. Over time, this degree of control lowers utility bills and helps save energy. Furthermore, the lack of combustion in electrode boilers removes the possibility of carbon monoxide leaks, fostering safer interior spaces.

Moreover, electrode boilers are adaptable in their uses, fitting a variety of heating needs from hot water production to space heating. They are able to adjust to various home configurations and heating requirements because of their flexibility. Moreover, electrode boilers’ sustainability profile can be further improved by their seamless integration with renewable energy sources like solar panels.

To sum up, electrode boilers are a cutting-edge and effective way to meet residential heating and insulation needs. Homes looking for affordable, environmentally friendly, and dependable heating systems will find them to be a compelling option due to their reliance on electricity, ease of use, accurate control, and versatility. Homeowners can improve the comfort, efficiency, and sustainability of their dwellings by making educated decisions by knowing the basic principles of electrode boiler operation.

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