Typically, when we consider heating our homes, we consider conventional systems such as radiators or furnaces. However, the heating elevator is a different cutting-edge option that is becoming more and more popular in the home heating market. What precisely is a heating elevator then?
Consider it a clever, effective method of distributing heat throughout your house. A heating elevator functions on an entirely different principle from traditional heating techniques, which depend on centralized systems. It is intended to take advantage of hot air’s innate tendency to rise, generating a constant flow of warmth upward from the earth.
Consider your home as a multi-story structure with varying degrees of warmth on each floor. By effectively moving the heat from the lower to the upper levels of your home, a heating elevator will keep your temperature constant throughout. This ingenious design reduces heat loss and increases energy efficiency, which will ultimately result in lower utility costs for you.
So, in real terms, how does a heating elevator operate? Imagine a system of vertical ducts or channels connecting the lower and upper levels of your home. Warm air from the heating system naturally rises through these channels, progressively distributing warmth throughout each floor as it does so.
However, a heating elevator’s versatility is what makes it so beautiful. You can modify the system to your liking based on the design of your house and the amount of heating you require. A heating elevator provides flexibility and efficiency that traditional heating methods might not be able to match, whether you’re planning a new construction or retrofitting an old home.
The purpose of the elevator in the heating system
Between 105 and 150 °C is a high temperature for the coolant that exits the boiler room or CHP. Of course, this temperature of water should not be supplied to the heating system.
The 95 ° C limit sets a limit to this temperature, which is why:
- For safety reasons: you can get burns from touching batteries;
- Not all radiators can function at high temperature conditions, not to mention polymer pipes.
The heating elevator can operate when the network water’s temperature is lowered to its normal level. You may wonder why water cannot be sent to the houses with the necessary parameters right away. The solution can be found in the realm of economic efficiency; a heated coolant supply enables the transfer of a significantly higher heat capacity using an equivalent volume of water. If the temperature drops, more heat carriers will need to be used, which will result in a large increase in the pipeline diameters for heating networks.
Thus, the elevator node that is installed in the heat station works by combining the cooled coolant that is returning to the pipeline with the water to lower its temperature. It should be mentioned that even though this element is still in use everywhere, it is thought to be outdated. These days, plate heat exchangers or mixing nodes with three-way valves are utilized when setting up heat points.
Heating elevators are systems designed to efficiently distribute heat throughout a multi-story building, ensuring that each floor maintains a comfortable temperature. These elevators work by circulating warm air from a central heating source, such as a boiler or furnace, through a network of ducts or pipes installed within the elevator shaft. As the elevator travels between floors, it carries the heated air with it, effectively warming the surrounding spaces. This method of heating offers several advantages, including energy efficiency, space-saving design, and the ability to provide consistent warmth throughout the building. Additionally, heating elevators can be integrated with smart control systems to optimize energy usage and adjust temperature settings based on occupancy levels and outdoor weather conditions. Overall, heating elevators play a crucial role in ensuring a cozy and inviting environment while minimizing energy consumption in multi-story buildings.
How the elevator functions?
To put it simply, the heating system’s elevator is a water pump that runs without external energy sources. This, along with its low cost and straightforward design, allowed the element to be incorporated into nearly every thermal point constructed during the Soviet era. But as we’ll talk about below, a few prerequisites must be met for it to function dependably.
You should review the scheme shown in the figure above in order to comprehend the heating elevator elevator’s device. The device, which is mounted on the supply pipeline and joins the return line with its lateral withdrawal, resembles a traditional tee in certain ways. Water from the network could only enter the heating system through a basic tee, which would prevent the temperature from dropping and go straight into the return pipeline.
The typical elevator is made up of a mixing chamber where the return’s cooled coolant is brought up and a supplying pipe (pre-score) with an integrated nozzle of the calculated diameter. The pipe expands at the node’s exit to create a diffuser. The following is how the unit operates:
- The coolant from the network with a high temperature is directed into the nozzle;
- When passing through a hole in a small diameter, the flow rate increases, due to which a vacuum area occurs behind the nozzle;
- a vacuum causes water to suck out of the return pipeline;
- Streams are mixed in the chamber and go into the heating system through the diffuser.
The elevator node scheme is evident as the process is described, with each stream represented by a distinct color:
The pressure differential between the heat supply network’s supply and reverse lines must be larger than the hydraulic resistance of the heating system in order for the node to operate sustainably.
This mixing node has a single, major disadvantage in addition to its apparent benefits. The truth is that the heating elevator’s operating principle prevents you from changing the mixture’s temperature at the output. What is required for this, after all? Adjust the quantity of hot coolant from the network and drained water from the return, if required. For instance, lowering the flow rate and raising the coolant flow through the jumper are required to lower the temperature. This can only be accomplished by reducing the nozzle’s diameter, which is not feasible.
Eleperture elevators contribute to the resolution of the high-quality regulation issue. They have a mechanical drive that rotates the electric motor, allowing the nozzle’s diameter to change. This is made possible by the conical throttle needle that is inserted into the nozzle from the inside at a specific distance. The heating elevator circuit that can regulate the mixture’s temperature is shown below:
Nozzle1, throttle needle2, executive mechanism body with guides3, and gear shaft are the first four components.
Note: An electric motor that is included in remote control can be attached to the drive shaft in addition to a manual handle.
The adjustable heating elevator that has emerged relatively recently allows heat points to be modernized without requiring a drastic equipment replacement. These units are becoming more and more important, considering the number of additional nodes that operate in the CIS’s public spaces.
Calculation of heating elevator
It should be mentioned that although the water-jet pump calculation, which involves an elevator, is thought to be fairly large, we will make an effort to submit it in an understandable format. Thus, when choosing the unit, we consider the internal mixing chamber capacity and the nozzle’s passing diameter to be the two key elevator characteristics. The following formula determines the camera’s size:
- DR – the desired diameter, cm;
- GPR – the above amount of mixed water, t/h.
Consequently, the aforementioned consumption is determined as follows:
- τsm – the temperature of the mixture going on heating, ° C;
- τ20 – the temperature of the cooled coolant in the return, ° C;
- H2 – resistance of the heating system, m. water. Art.;
- Q – the required heat consumption, kcal/h.
The following formula must be used to determine the elevator node of the heating system based on the nozzle size:
- DR – the diameter of the mixing chamber, cm;
- GPR – the reduced consumption of mixed water, t/h;
- U is the dimensionless coefficient of injecting (mixing).
Now that the first two parameters are known, the mixing coefficient’s value needs to be determined:
- τ1 – the temperature of the overheated coolant at the entrance to the elevator;
- τsm, τ20 – the same as in previous formulas.
Note: Use the coefficient U = 1.15u’to compute the nozzle.
The unit is chosen based on the two primary characteristics after the results. The numbers ranging from 1 to 7 represent the elevators’ standard dimensions; you must select the one that most closely matches the computed parameters.
When it comes to home insulation and heating, heating elevators are a creative solution. In essence, these systems use warm air rising as a natural process to disperse heat evenly throughout a home. Installing a heating elevator can provide homeowners with more cost-effective heating and possibly lower heating efficiency.
Utilizing the convectional principle is one of the main benefits of heating elevators. Warm air rises and is sucked into the ductwork of the system to be distributed throughout the house. As a result, the entire house is made to feel comfortable because rooms on higher floors receive the same amount of warmth as rooms on lower levels.
Furthermore, heating elevators can be easily included into both newly constructed buildings and existing residences. They are a flexible choice for homeowners wishing to modernize their heating systems because of this flexibility. A heating elevator could be a useful and effective option for both new construction and renovation projects.
These systems not only offer efficient heating but also have the potential to improve insulation. Heating elevators assist in preventing drafts and cold spots, which are frequent problems in many homes, by uniformly circulating warm air. As a result of fewer leaks and inadequate insulation, comfort and energy efficiency may increase.
All things considered, heating elevators present a strong option for homeowners looking for economical, practical, and eco-friendly insulation and heating solutions. These systems can potentially lower energy costs and consumption by using convection to provide constant warmth throughout a house. A heating elevator could be a wise decision for enhancing efficiency and comfort, regardless of whether you’re looking to build a new home or replace your old heating system.
