We frequently consider more conventional approaches, such as central heating systems and insulation, when it comes to maintaining a warm and comfortable home. But in the world of home heating, there’s a lesser-known but incredibly effective solution that’s becoming more and more popular: the heating unit’s elevator. This cutting-edge technology is completely changing the way we heat our homes and has many advantages over conventional heating techniques.
Envision a small gadget that is mounted inside your heating system and enhances energy efficiency while providing efficient home heating. That’s exactly what the heating unit’s elevator does. This system maximizes heat distribution throughout your home by utilizing cutting-edge engineering and clever design, guaranteeing that every area remains comfortably warm without consuming unnecessary energy.
The heating unit’s elevator’s capacity to adjust to the varying temperature requirements in different rooms of your house is one of its main benefits. Conventional heating systems frequently have trouble keeping rooms at constant temperatures, which results in inconsistent heating and energy waste. Elevator technology, on the other hand, eliminates cold spots and uses less energy by distributing heat evenly where it’s most needed.
In addition to increasing comfort and energy efficiency, the heating unit’s elevator gives homeowners more control over their heating systems. You can quickly and easily change the temperature to fit your schedule and preferences thanks to the controls’ clear layout and programmable settings. You can make sure your living area stays cozy and welcoming while using the least amount of energy, whether you’re at home or away.
The elevator technology is also eco-friendly, which makes it a sustainable option for contemporary homes. This creative heating solution lessens greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, which helps to create a cleaner, greener future and lessen the effects of climate change. Adopting environmentally friendly technologies, such as the elevator in the heating unit, is a responsible step towards sustainable living as concerns about the impact on the environment grow.
- Elevator with adjustable nozzle.
- What is an elevator unit of a heating system
- Thermal distribution point of the building
- Design and principle of operation of the heating elevator
- Schematic diagram of the heating unit
- Elevator with automatic regulation
- Main faults of the elevator unit
- Distribution devices
- Three-way valve
- What is a heating elevator
- Purpose of the elevator in the heating system
- How the elevator functions
- Video on the topic
- Pressurization of the elevator unit
- Noise in the heating unit. The commission from Rospotrebnadzor came.11.01.18 г
- Overview of ITP with elevator unit
Elevator with adjustable nozzle.
All that’s left to do is disassemble the method for more conveniently controlling the temperature at the elevator outlet. and whether using an elevator to help conserve heat is feasible.
By reducing the room temperature at night, for instance, a water jet elevator can help save heat. or during the day, as the majority of us work. The building has cooled down after the temperature was lowered, so even though this is a contentious question, the heat consumption must be increased in order to reheat it. The sole advantage is that you will sleep better at a cool temperature of 18 to 19 degrees. Our bodies are more at ease.
For the purpose of heat saving a special water jet elevator with adjustable nozzle. Its design and most importantly the depth of quality adjustment can be varied. Usually the mixing ratio of a water jet elevator with adjustable nozzle varies in the range from 2 to 5. As practice has shown, such adjustment limits are quite enough for all cases of life. "Danfoss offers schemes with control valves with a control range of up to 1 in 1000. It is not clear why we need it in the heating system. But the price ratio in favor of water-jet elevator with adjustable nozzle in relation to "Danfoss" regulators is about 1 to 3. However, we must give credit to "Danfoss" their products are more reliable, although not all of them, some varieties of inexpensive three-way valves do not work well on our water. Recommendation – you should save wisely!
The design of every regulating elevator is the same, in theory. On the image, the device is easily visible. through clicking the image. An animated image demonstrating the VARS water jet elevator’s regulating mechanism in action is displayed.
Finally, a quick aside: water-jet elevators with adjustable nozzles are particularly useful in public and commercial buildings. By reducing the temperature in heated rooms at night and, particularly on weekends, you can save up to 20–25% on heating expenses.
What is an elevator unit of a heating system
Powerful boiler houses or CHPPs supply heat to administrative buildings, multistory buildings, high-rises, and numerous other consumers. It can be challenging to modify even a fairly basic autonomous system in a private home, particularly if errors were made in the design or installation. However, the complexity of a large boiler house or CHP plant’s heating system is unmatched. Each consumer has a different pressure in the heating pipes and a different amount of heat consumed, and there are numerous branches from the main pipe.
Since the pipelines’ lengths vary, the system must be built to ensure that even the furthest-flung consumer gets enough heat. It becomes evident why the coolant pressure is necessary for the heating system. The water is driven through the heating circuit by the pressure, which functions as a circulation pump and is produced by the central heating mains. When a consumer’s heat consumption varies, the heating system shouldn’t become out of balance.
Furthermore, the branching of the heating system shouldn’t have an impact on its efficiency. An automated control unit or an elevator unit must be installed at each object in order to remove mutual influence and ensure the stable operation of a complex centralized heating system.
Thermal distribution point of the building
One of the three temperature modes for boiler operation is advised by heat engineers. These modes have been used for many years; they were initially computed theoretically. They guarantee efficient heat transfer over extended distances with low heat loss.
Boiler heat regimes can be characterized by the ratio of the supply temperature to the "return" temperature:
- 150/70 – the supply temperature is 150 degrees and the return temperature is 70 degrees.
- 130/70 – water temperature 130 degrees, "return" temperature 70 degrees;
- 95/70 – water temperature is 95 degrees and the "return" temperature is 70 degrees.
In real conditions, the mode is selected for each specific region, based on the value of winter air temperature. It should be noted that high temperatures, especially 150 and 130 degrees, should not be used for space heating in order to avoid burns and serious consequences in case of depressurization.
Because of the high pressure inside the pipes, the water does not boil because its temperature is higher than its boiling point. This implies that in order to provide the required heat extraction for a given building, it is imperative to lower the temperature and pressure. The heating system’s elevator unit, a unique piece of heat engineering machinery housed in the heat distribution point, is tasked with carrying out this duty.
Design and principle of operation of the heating elevator
A node connecting the supply and "return" pipes is visible at the entry point of the heating network pipelines, which is typically located in the basement. This is the heating system mixing unit, also known as the elevator. The elevator is constructed as a steel or cast iron structure with three flanges. The basic operating principle of this standard heating elevator is founded in the laws of physics. A diffuser, mixing neck, receiving chamber, and nozzle are all located inside the elevator. Through the use of a flange, the inlet chamber and return are linked.
Water that has been overheated enters the elevator inlet and travels through the nozzle. Bernoulli’s law states that as the nozzle narrows, the flow velocity increases and the pressure decreases. The elevator’s mixing chamber is filled with mixed water from the "return," which is drawn into the area of lower pressure. In addition to lowering the temperature to the appropriate level, water also lowers pressure. The elevator functions as a mixer and a circulation pump at the same time. This sums up the elevator’s basic working principle for a building or other structure’s heating system.
Schematic diagram of the heating unit
The house heating elevator nodes are responsible for controlling the coolant supply. The heat unit’s primary component, the elevator, requires pipework. Because the regulating apparatus is susceptible to dirt, there are dirt filters in the piping that are linked to the "supply" and "return" ports.
The elevator is strapped with the following:
- dirt filters
- pressure gauges (inlet and outlet);
- temperature sensors (thermometers at the elevator inlet, outlet and return);
- gate valves (for preventive or emergency work).
Although this is the most basic version of the coolant temperature regulation scheme, it is frequently utilized as the heating unit’s fundamental component. The basic node elevator regulates the coolant’s temperature and pressure in the circuit, heating any buildings or structures.
Benefits of using it to heat big items, homes, and tall buildings:
- trouble-free operation due to the simple design;
- low price of installation and component parts;
- absolute energy independence;
- significant savings in coolant consumption up to 30%.
Although there are unquestionable benefits to using an elevator for heating systems, it’s important to remember that there are drawbacks as well:
- The calculation is done individually for each system;
- A mandatory pressure drop in the heating system of the object is required;
- If the elevator is not adjustable, it is impossible to change the parameters of the heating circuit.
Elevator with automatic regulation
These days, elevator designs have been developed with electronically adjustable nozzle cross-sections. A mechanism in the elevator moves the throttle needle. It modifies the nozzle lumen, which modifies the heating medium’s flow rate. The lumen can be adjusted to alter the water’s movement speed. This causes a change in the mixing coefficient between the hot water and the water from the "return," which raises the heat carrier’s temperature in the "supply." It is now evident why the heating system requires water pressure.
The heating circuit’s flow is regulated by the elevator, which also controls the heating medium’s supply and pressure.
Main faults of the elevator unit
A simple elevator assembly is one example of a device that can go wrong. By examining the pressure gauge readings at the elevator unit’s control points, faults can be identified:
- Malfunctions are often caused by dirt and solid particles in the water clogging the pipelines. If there is a drop in pressure in the heating system, which is much higher before the strainer, this malfunction is caused by clogging of the strainer, which stands in the supply pipe. Dirt is discharged through the drain channels of the strainer, cleaning the screens and internal surfaces of the device.
- If the pressure in the heating system fluctuates, the possible causes are corrosion or a clogged nozzle. If a nozzle collapse occurs, the pressure in the heating expansion tank may exceed the allowable pressure.
- There may be a case in which the pressure in the heating system increases, and the pressure gauges before and after the strainer in the "return" show different values. In this case, the return strainer must be cleaned. Open the drain valves on it, clean the mesh, and remove impurities from inside.
- If the nozzle size is changed due to corrosion, the heating circuit is vertically unbalanced. The batteries will be hot at the bottom, while on the upper floors they will be insufficiently heated. Replacing the nozzle with a nozzle with a calculated diameter value eliminates such a malfunction.
Distribution devices
When compared to a discharge circulation pump, the elevator unit and all of its plumbing provide the heating medium to the heating system at a specific pressure.
The best course of action in cases where the object has multiple floors and consumers is to allocate the entire coolant flow to each consumer.
The collector, also known as the comb for the heating system, is designed to handle such tasks. You can think of this device as a vessel. The elevator outlet feeds coolant into the tank, where it exits under the same pressure through a number of outlets.
As a result, the heating system distribution comb permits the individual consumers of the object to be disconnected, adjusted, or repaired without interrupting the heating circuit’s operation. The mutual influence between the heating system’s branches is eliminated when a manifold is present. In this instance, the pressure at the elevator outlet and the radiators’ pressure match.
Installing an elevator in the heating unit can be a game-changer when it comes to insulation and home heating. This invention makes maintenance simpler and safer by facilitating access to important parts like the boiler or furnace. Homeowners can save time and lower the risk of accidents by doing away with the need for ladders or heavy equipment. Additionally, it makes servicing and repairs easier for technicians, guaranteeing effective and efficient maintenance. Homeowners can feel secure knowing that their heating system is easily accessible and well-maintained with the elevator installed, adding to a warm and inviting living space.
Three-way valve
When it becomes necessary to split the coolant flow between two users, a three-way heating valve that functions in two ways is utilized:
- constant mode;
- variable hydro mode.
The three-way valve is installed in the heating circuit where it might be required to split off or stop the water supply entirely. Brass, cast iron, or steel make up the valve’s material. A ball, cylindrical, or conical shut-off device is located inside the tap. The three-way valve on the heating system can function as a mixer depending on the connection; it looks like a tee. There is a broad range in which the mixing proportions can be adjusted.
The main purposes of the ball valve are:
- temperature regulation of warm floors;
- regulating the temperature of the radiators;
- distribution of the coolant into two directions.
Shutoff valves and regulating valves are the two varieties of three-way valves. Although they are nearly identical in theory, shut-off three-way valves make temperature regulation more challenging.
What is a heating elevator
Hot water at centralized heat supply passes through the heating station before it reaches the apartment building’s radiators. There, with the aid of specialized equipment, the necessary temperature is reached. For this reason, a heating elevator is a component found in the great majority of homes heated during the Soviet era. The purpose of this article is to explain what it is and the functions it serves.
Purpose of the elevator in the heating system
Between 105 and 150 °¡ is the high temperature of the coolant that emerges from the boiler house or CHPP. It is obviously inappropriate to use this temperature of water to feed the heating system.
This temperature is limited by normative documents to 95 °C for the following reasons:
- for safety reasons: you can get burns from touching the radiators;
- not all radiators can function at high temperatures, not to mention polymer pipes.
The heating elevator can function by bringing the network water’s temperature down to a set level. You might wonder, "Why can’t we send water to the houses right away with the necessary parameters?" The solution is found on the level of economic efficiency; a given volume of water can transfer significantly more heat thanks to the availability of superheated coolant. Reduced temperature will require an increase in the heat carrier’s flow rate and a large increase in the diameter of the heating network pipelines.
Thus, the cooled coolant from the return is mixed into the supply pipeline by the elevator unit located in the heat supply unit to lower the water’s temperature. Despite being widely used, it should be noted that this element is considered obsolete. Heating units are now constructed using mixing units with plate heat exchangers or three-way valves.
How the elevator functions
An elevator in a heating system is essentially a water pump that runs off of internal energy reserves. The element was incorporated into nearly every heating station constructed during the Soviet era because of its straightforward design and affordable price. However, a few prerequisites must be met for its dependable operation, which are detailed below.
Studying the scheme shown in the above figure is required in order to comprehend the elevator device of the heating system. The device, which is mounted on the supply pipe and has a side outlet that is connected to the return line, looks like a regular tee. It is unacceptable that the water from the network could only enter the return pipe and heating system straight through a basic tee, without any temperature reduction.
A typical elevator is made up of a mixing chamber where the cooled heat transfer medium from the return flow is introduced and a supply pipe (pre-chamber) with an integrated nozzle of the calculated diameter. The nozzle at the unit’s outlet expands to create a diffuser. The following is how the unit functions:
- the heat transfer medium from the network with a high temperature is directed to the nozzle;
- When passing through the small diameter orifice, the flow velocity increases, resulting in a rarefaction zone behind the nozzle;
- The rarefaction causes water to be sucked up from the return pipe;
- flows mix in the chamber and exit into the heating system through the diffuser.
The elevator unit diagram demonstrates the above-described process in detail, with each flow designated with a distinct color:
The pressure differential between the heating network’s supply and return lines must be larger than the hydraulic resistance of the heating system in order for the unit to operate steadily.
This mixing unit has one major drawback in addition to its obvious advantages. The truth is that controlling the mixture’s temperature at the outlet is impossible due to the heating elevator’s operating principle. What is needed in order to do this? Adjust the amount of suction water from the return flow and the amount of superheated heat transfer medium from the network as needed. For instance, lower the flow rate at the supply and raise the flow rate through the jumper to lower the temperature. The only way to do this is to decrease the nozzle diameter, which is not feasible.
Elevators powered by electricity contribute to the resolution of the quality control issue. These units use a mechanical drive that is rotated by an electric motor to change the nozzle diameter. A throttling needle in the shape of a cone that penetrates the nozzle from the inside by a specific distance makes this possible. An illustration of a heating elevator that allows the mixture’s temperature to be adjusted is shown below:
Nozzle 1; throttle needle 2; actuator body with guides 3; shaft with gear drive 4.
Note: The drive shaft may be fitted with an electric motor that is operated remotely or with a hand crank for manual operation.
The adjustable heating elevator that has been around for a while makes it possible to update heating units without having to completely replace the equipment. These units are becoming more and more important, especially in light of the large number of other comparable units operating throughout the CIS.
Benefit | Convenience |
Cost | Initial investment and maintenance |
Accessibility | Improves access to heating unit for maintenance |
Efficiency | Ensures smooth operation of heating system |
Your heating unit’s elevator installation can greatly reduce the workload associated with inspection and maintenance. It simplifies the process for both technicians and homeowners by granting simple access to the various parts of the system. Time and money are ultimately saved as a result of this accessibility, which leads to speedier diagnostics and repairs.
Furthermore, the importance of safety cannot be emphasized. Installing an elevator makes it easier for technicians to operate the device safely, which lowers the possibility of mishaps or injuries. This is especially important when the heating unit is situated in a cramped or awkward area.
Not to be overlooked is the convenience factor as well. For maintenance or cleaning, traditional heating units frequently need laborious manoeuvres to reach certain areas. An elevator, on the other hand, offers a simple solution that enables more efficient resource usage and seamless operations.
Moreover, installing an elevator can ensure that your heating system is future-proof. Upgrades and modifications are made easier with easy access to the unit as components change and technology advances. Your heating system will continue to operate effectively and efficiently for many years to come thanks to its adaptability.
In conclusion, adding an elevator to your heating system has many advantages, such as better accessibility, increased security, ease of use, and future-proofing. It’s a wise investment that can lengthen the life of your heating system, minimize risks, and improve maintenance procedures. Considering these benefits, it’s something that both businesses and homeowners should think about.