Heat accumulator for heating - what is it, principle of operation, selection rules, varieties, calculation, connection

A heating system for a private house using a solid fuel boiler is far from the best option in terms of stability and uniformity in achieving a comfortable temperature, until a special heat-accumulating module is introduced into the system. Let's look at what a heat accumulator for heating is, what it is intended for, what its properties are, how it works and where it is used, what are its main pros and cons, how to choose the right one, what calculations will need to be performed, and what are the nuances of connection.

Heat accumulator with solid fuel heating boiler Source stroyday.ru

Heat accumulator - what is it, device, purpose

The thermal storage unit is a special thermally insulated tank directly connected to the heating boiler. Its device has the following features:

1. The container in most cases has the shape of a vertically mounted cylinder, the body of which is made of durable stainless or black steel sheet.
2. The inside of the tank is covered with a special protector to protect it from hot water or other coolant, as well as salts and acids dissolved in them.
3. The outside of the tank has a layer of powder coating with increased heat resistance.
4. On the outside, the container is hermetically sealed with a heat-insulating material with a layer of at least 10 cm. Re-foamed polyurethane foam with an internal PVC coating is used as insulation.
5. Next, the heat-insulating layer is covered with a durable leatherette cover and a protective shell.

An example of a device and operating diagram of a heat storage tank Source stroyfora.ru
In this case, the useful volume of the tank can vary from 100 liters to 1 m³ or more. However, specimens larger than one cubic meter are rarely used to support the heating system of a private house. The main purpose of a heat accumulator for heating, using the example of a solid fuel unit, boils down to the following:

• Maintaining the nominal temperature of the coolant during the period when the boiler has already cooled down.
• Heating the unit at the optimal and convenient time, and not when the system begins to naturally cool down.
• Significant increase in the period between extreme firings of the boiler.
• Reducing and optimizing fuel consumption.

Helpful information! The excess thermal energy generated by the boiler is accumulated in a tank and then gradually used to maintain the optimal temperature of the coolant. Thus, the large inertia of the solid fuel unit is leveled out - the need to wait until the room is heated to the required comfortable level while it periodically cools down.

Detailed diagram of a heating system with a buffer heat storage Source prom.st

Accumulated resource consumption rate

It is impossible to accurately answer the question of how quickly the heat accumulated in the battery is consumed.

How long the heating system will operate using the resource collected in the buffer tank directly depends on such items as:

• actual volume of storage capacity;
• level of heat loss in the heated room;
• outside air temperature and current time of year;
• set values ​​of temperature sensors;
• useful area of ​​the house that needs to be heated and supplied with hot water.

Heating of a private house in a passive state of the heating system can be carried out from several hours to several days. At this time, the boiler will “rest” from the load and its working resource will last for a longer period of time.

Operating principle, scope of application

The operation of a thermal storage device of the simplest type is carried out according to the following principle:

• From the heat exchange circuit of the unit, heated coolant flows into the upper pipe of the container.
• As the boiler operates, the tank is completely filled with coolant heated to the specified value.
• At the same time, from the opposite upper pipe the coolant flows into the batteries of the home heating system and other consumers. However, while the unit is operating, the temperature inside the tank does not fall, but, on the contrary, increases - if, of course, the heat storage device is correctly selected and matches the boiler power and consumer consumption.
• In this case, the coolant cooled in the system enters the lower inlet pipe of the tank, but without mixing with the upper heated layer, it enters the heating circuit of the boiler from the outlet pipe.
• When the tank is filled to the maximum level with heated coolant, the unit turns off.
• Next, the heat accumulator pumps coolant through the system using its own circulation pump.

Operating principle of a heat accumulator indicating the movement of the coolant Source altep.ua

• In this case, the hot phase is gradually replaced by a cooled one. However, a high-quality and well-designed heat storage device is capable of fully maintaining the specified heating of the coolant not only for many hours, but also, if necessary, for several days.

A heat accumulator for a heating system can be used not only in a circuit with a solid fuel boiler, but also with any other that runs on an alternative type of fuel - gas, electricity and even wind, solar and subsoil energy.

The scope of application of a thermal storage device is determined by the following range of its capabilities:

1. The number of connected consumers depends on the presence of independent circuits and can vary from 4 to 20.
2. The heat storage tank can be converted into an electric boiler by installing heating elements through the side flanges.
3. The reservoir can be divided into separate interacting sectors using horizontal overlaps inside.
4. An additional heat exchanger can be installed in the lower area of ​​the tank to increase performance.
5. To provide hot domestic water, a storage tank or an additional heat exchanger can be built into the tank.

Diagram of a combined heating system with a heat accumulator Source evan.ru

Note! A thermal accumulator is especially relevant when the energy resource spent on heat generation has periodic or limited access. An example is solar and wind generators that do not function in cloudy and windless weather. It is also useful when the electric boiler is connected at a reduced rate, which is only possible during certain limited hours of the day.

Heat accumulator for heating boilers: parameters, installation features and where to buy

The inability to use relatively inexpensive natural gas as an energy source for heating homes forces homeowners to look for other acceptable solutions. So, in regions where there are no special problems with the procurement or purchase of firewood, solid fuel boilers come to the rescue. It also happens that the only alternative is electrical energy. In addition, new technologies are increasingly being used that make it possible to direct the energy of solar radiation to heating needs.

Heat accumulator for heating boilers

All these approaches are not without significant drawbacks. Thus, these include unevenness and pronounced periodicity in the supply of thermal energy. In the case of an electric boiler, the main negative factor will be the high cost of energy consumed. It is obvious that to significantly increase the efficiency of the heating system, improve the efficiency and uniformity of its operation, and simplify operational operations as much as possible would help by including in the general scheme a special device that would accumulate currently unclaimed thermal energy and release it as needed. This is exactly the function that a heat accumulator for heating boilers performs.

The main purpose of the heating system heat accumulator

• The simplest heating system with a solid fuel boiler has a pronounced cyclical operation. After loading firewood and igniting it, the boiler gradually reaches maximum power, actively transferring thermal energy to the heating circuits. But as the load burns out, the heat transfer begins to gradually decrease, and the coolant distributed through the radiators cools down.

The operation of a conventional solid fuel boiler is characterized by a pronounced alternation of peaks and “troughs” in the production of thermal energy.
It turns out that during the period of peak heat production it may remain unclaimed, since a customized heating system equipped with thermostatic control will not take in excess. But during the period when the fuel burns out and, moreover, when the boiler is idle, there will be a clear lack of thermal energy. As a result, part of the fuel potential is simply wasted, but at the same time, the owners have to load firewood quite often.

To a certain extent, the severity of this problem can be reduced by installing a long-burning boiler, but it cannot be completely removed. The discrepancy between the peaks of heat production and its consumption can remain quite significant.

• In the case of an electric boiler, the high cost of energy consumption comes to the fore, which forces owners to think about maximizing the use of equipment during periods of preferential night tariffs and minimizing consumption during the daytime.

Benefits of using differentiated electricity tariffs

With a competent approach to electricity consumption, preferential tariffs can bring very significant cost savings. This is described in detail in a special publication on the portal dedicated to two-tariff electricity meters .

An obvious solution arises - to accumulate thermal energy at night in order to achieve its minimum consumption during the day.

• The periodicity of thermal energy generation is even more pronounced in the case of using solar collectors. Here there is a dependence not only on the time of day (at night the intake is generally zero).

The operation of the solar collector is very dependent on both the time of day and the weather.
Heating peaks on a bright sunny day or in cloudy weather cannot be compared. It is clear that it is impossible to directly make your heating system dependent on the current “whims” of nature, but you also don’t want to neglect such a powerful additional source of energy. Obviously some kind of buffer device is required.

These three examples, with all their diversity, are united by one common circumstance - a clear discrepancy between the peaks of thermal energy production and its rational, uniform use for heating needs. To eliminate this imbalance, a special device called a heat accumulator (thermal accumulator, buffer tank) is used.

Prices for heat accumulators Hajdu

heat accumulator Hajdu

The principle of its operation is based on the high heat capacity of water. If a significant volume of it is heated to the required level during the period of peak thermal energy supply, then for a certain period this accumulated energy potential can be used for heating needs. For example, if we compare thermophysical indicators, just one liter of water, when cooled by 1°C, can warm up a cubic meter of air by as much as 4°C.

The heat accumulator is always a volumetric reservoir with effective external thermal insulation, connected to the heat source circuit(s) and heating circuits. It is better to consider the simplest scheme using an example:

A visual demonstration of the operating principle of a simple heat accumulator

The simplest heat accumulator (TA) in design is a vertically located volumetric tank, into which four pipes are embedded on two opposite sides. On the one hand, it is connected to the solid fuel boiler circuit (SFC), and on the other, to the heating circuit distributed throughout the house.

After loading and igniting the boiler, the circulation pump (Nk) of this circuit begins to pump coolant (water) through the heat exchanger. Cooled water enters the boiler from the lower part of the TA, and heated water arrives into the upper part. Due to the significant difference in the density of cooled and hot water, there will be no active mixing in the tank - during the combustion of the fuel fill, the heat exchanger will gradually be filled with hot coolant. As a result, if the parameters are correctly calculated, after the stored fuel has completely burned out, the container will be filled with hot water, heated to the calculated level. All potential energy of the fuel (minus, of course, the inevitable losses reflected in the efficiency of the boiler) is converted into heat, which is accumulated in the heating element. High-quality thermal insulation allows you to maintain the temperature in the tank for many hours, and sometimes even days.

Stage two – the boiler is not working, but the heating system is functioning. Using the heating circuit's own circulation pump, coolant is pumped through pipes and radiators. The intake is made from above, from the “hot” zone. Intensive independent mixing is again not observed - for the reason already mentioned, and hot water enters the supply pipe, cooled water returns from below, and the tank gradually releases its heat in the direction from bottom to top.

In practice, during the heating process of the boiler, the selection of coolant into the heating system, as a rule, does not stop, and the heating system will only accumulate excess energy, which currently remains unclaimed. But with the correct calculation of the parameters of the buffer tank, not a single kilowatt of thermal energy should be wasted, and by the end of the boiler firing cycle, the TA should be “charged” to the maximum extent.

It is clear that the cyclical operation of such a system with an installed electric boiler will be tied to preferential night rates. The control unit's timer will turn the power on and off at a set time in the evening and morning, and during the day the heating circuits will be powered only (or predominantly) from the heat accumulator.

Design features and basic connection diagrams for various heat accumulators

So, a heat accumulator is always a volumetric vertical cylindrical tank, which has highly effective thermal insulation and is equipped with pipes for connecting heat generation and consumption circuits. But the internal design may vary. Let's consider the main types of existing models.

Main types of heat accumulator designs

Heat accumulator with direct connection of thermal energy production and consumption circuits
1 – The simplest type of heat exchanger design. This implies a direct connection of both heat sources and consumption circuits. Such buffer tanks are used in the following cases:

• If the boiler and all heating circuits use the same coolant.
• If the maximum permissible coolant pressure in the heating circuits does not exceed that of the boiler and the heating unit itself.

In cases where the requirement cannot be met, the heating circuits can be connected through additional external heat exchangers

• If the temperature in the supply pipe at the outlet of their boiler does not exceed the permissible temperature in the heating circuits.

However, this requirement can also be bypassed when installing mixing units with three-way valves on circuits that require a lower temperature difference.

Heat accumulator with built-in heat exchanger

2 – The heat accumulator is equipped with an internal heat exchanger located in the lower part of the tank. The heat exchanger is usually a spiral twisted from a stainless steel pipe, regular or corrugated. There may be several such heat exchangers.

This type of TA is used in the following cases:

• If the pressure and achieved temperature of the coolant in the heat source circuit significantly exceed the permissible values ​​for the consumption circuits and for the buffer tank itself.
• If there is a need to connect several heat sources (according to the bivalent principle). For example, a solar system (solar collector) or a geothermal heat pump comes to the aid of the boiler. Moreover, the lower the temperature pressure of the heat source, the lower its heat exchanger should be placed in the heat exchanger.
• If different types of coolant are used in the heat source and consumption circuits.

Unlike the first scheme, this heat exchanger is characterized by active mixing of the coolant in the container - heating occurs in its lower part, and less dense hot water tends upward.

The diagram in the center of the HA shows a magnesium anode. Due to the lower electrical potential, it “pulls” ions of heavy salts onto itself, preventing scale from overgrowing the internal walls of the tank. Subject to periodic replacement.

Heat accumulator with built-in hot water flow heat exchanger

3 – The heat accumulator is supplemented with a flow-through hot water supply circuit. Cold water enters from below, supply to the hot water tap point, respectively, from below. Most of the heat exchanger is located in the upper part of the heat exchanger.

This scheme is considered optimal for conditions where hot water consumption is sufficiently stable and uniform, without pronounced peak loads. Naturally, the heat exchanger must be made of metal that meets food water consumption standards.

The rest of the scheme is similar to the first one, with direct connection of heat generation and consumption circuits.

Heat accumulator with built-in hot water tank

4 – Inside the heat accumulator there is a tank to create a supply of hot water for domestic consumption. In fact, this scheme resembles a built-in indirect heating boiler.

The use of such a design is fully justified in cases where the peak of thermal energy production by the boiler does not coincide with the peak of hot water consumption. In other words, when the current household structure in the house involves massive, but rather short-term consumption of hot water.

All of the listed schemes can vary in various combinations - the choice of a specific model depends on the complexity of the heating system being created, the number and type of body sources and consumption circuits. Please note that most heat accumulators have many outlet pipes spaced vertically.

The vertically spaced connection pipes for the circuits allow optimal use of the temperature gradient formed in the heat accumulator

The fact is that with any scheme, a temperature gradient (difference in temperature pressure in height) is formed one way or another inside the buffer tank. It becomes possible to connect heating system circuits that require different temperature conditions. This greatly facilitates the final thermostatic control of heat exchange devices (radiators or underfloor heating), with minimal unnecessary energy losses and reduced load on the control devices.

Typical connection diagrams for heat accumulators

Now we can consider the basic schemes for installing heat accumulators in a heating system.

Of course, the diagrams are given in a very simplified form. But in fact, connecting a heat accumulator to complex, branched systems, with different heating circuits, and even receiving heat from sources of different power and temperature, requires highly professional design with thermal engineering calculations, using many additional control devices.

One example is shown in the figure:

Example of a system with multiple heat sources and different heating and DHW circuits

1 – solid fuel boiler.

2 – electric boiler, which turns on only as needed and only during the period of validity of the preferential tariff.

3 – special mixing unit in the high-temperature boiler circuit.

4 – solar station, solar collector, which on fine days can act as the main source of thermal energy.

5 – heat accumulator, to which all heat generation and consumption circuits converge.

6 – high-temperature heating circuit with radiators, with adjustment of modes according to the quantitative principle - only using shut-off valves.

7 – low-temperature heating circuit – “warm floor”, which necessarily provides for high-quality regulation of the heating temperature of the coolant.

8 – flow-through hot water supply circuit, equipped with its own mixing unit for high-quality regulation of the temperature of domestic hot water.

In addition to all of the above, the heat accumulator can have its own electric heaters – heating elements – built into it. Sometimes it is beneficial to maintain a given temperature with their help without, for example, once again resorting to unscheduled lighting of a solid fuel boiler.

Additional heating element equipped with its own thermostatic system

Special additional heating elements can be purchased separately - their mounting thread is usually adapted to the connection sockets available on many models of heat accumulators. Naturally, connecting electrical heating will require the installation of an additional thermostatic unit, which will ensure that the heating elements are turned on only when the temperature in the heater drops below the level set by the user. Some heaters are already equipped with a built-in thermostat of this type.

Prices for S-Tank heat accumulators

Thermal accumulator S-Tank

Video: Recommendations from a specialist for creating a heating system with a solid fuel boiler and heat accumulator

What to consider when choosing a heat accumulator

Of course, it is recommended to select a heat accumulator at the stage of designing a home heating system, guided by the calculation data of specialists. However, circumstances vary, and you still need to know the basic criteria for evaluating such a device.

• The capacity of this buffer tank will always come first. This value is calculated in accordance with the parameters of the system being created, the power of the boiler, the required amount of energy for heating needs, and hot water supply. In a word, the container must be such as to ensure the accumulation of all currently excess heat, preventing its loss. Some rules for calculating capacity will be discussed below.
• Naturally, the dimensions of the product and its weight directly depend on the capacity. These parameters are also decisive - it is not always possible and not everywhere to place a heat accumulator of the required volume in a dedicated room, so the issue must be thought through in advance. It happens that large volume tanks (over 500 liters) do not fit through standard doorways (800 mm). When estimating the mass of TA, it must be taken into account together in the entire volume of water of a completely filled device.
• The next parameter is the maximum permissible pressure in the heating system being created or already functioning. A similar TA indicator should be, in any case, no lower. This will depend on the thickness of the walls, the type of material used, and even the shape of the container. Thus, in buffer tanks designed for pressures above 4 atmospheres (bar), the upper and lower lids usually have a spherical (toroidal) configuration.

The heat accumulator is made of stainless steel, with toroidal-shaped covers, enclosed in a thermal insulating casing.

• Material for making the container. Carbon steel tanks with anti-corrosion coating are cheaper. Stainless steel containers are, of course, more expensive, but their warranty period is also much longer.
• Availability of additional built-in heat exchangers for heating or hot water supply circuits. Their purpose has already been mentioned above - models are selected depending on the overall complexity of the heating system.
• Availability of additional options - the possibility of installing heating elements, installing instrumentation, safety devices - safety valves, air vents, etc.
• The thickness and quality of the external thermal insulation of the TA body must be assessed so that you do not have to deal with this issue yourself. The better the tank is insulated, the longer the “thermal charge” will naturally be stored in it.

Features of installation of heat accumulators

Installing a heat accumulator requires compliance with certain rules:

• All connected circuits must be connected with threaded couplings or flanges. Welded joints are not allowed.
• The connected pipes must not exert any static load on the TA pipes.
• It is recommended to install shut-off valves on all pipes connected to the TA.
• Visual temperature monitoring devices (thermometers) are installed at all used inputs and outputs.
• There should be a drain valve at the lowest point of the TA or on the pipe in close proximity to it.
• Filters for mechanical water purification – “mud collectors” – are installed on all pipes entering the heat accumulator.
• Many models have a pipe on top for connecting an automatic air vent. If there is none, then the air vent must be installed on the uppermost outlet pipe.
• A pressure gauge and a safety valve are to be installed in the immediate vicinity of the heat accumulator.
• Making any independent changes to the design of the heat accumulator that are not specified by the manufacturer is strictly prohibited.
• Installation of TA should be carried out only in a heated room, eliminating the possibility of freezing of the liquid.
• A tank filled with water can have a very significant mass. The platform must be able to withstand such a high load. Often for these purposes it is necessary to add a special foundation.
• No matter how the heat accumulator is installed, free access to the inspection hatch must be ensured.

Carrying out simple calculations of heat accumulator parameters

As mentioned above, a comprehensive calculation of a heating system with several circuits for the production and consumption of thermal energy is a task that can only be accomplished by specialists, since many diverse factors have to be taken into account. But certain calculations can be carried out on your own.

For example, a solid fuel boiler is installed in the house. Its power generated at full fuel load is known. The combustion time of a full load of firewood was determined experimentally. You are planning to purchase a heat accumulator, and you need to determine how much volume is required to ensure that all the heat generated by the boiler is effectively used.

Let's take the well-known formula as a basis:

W = m × c × Δt

W is the amount of heat required to heat a mass of liquid ( m ) with a known heat capacity ( c ) by a certain number of degrees ( Δt ).

From here it is easy to calculate the mass:

m = W / (s × Δt)

It doesn’t hurt to take into account the boiler efficiency ( k ), since energy losses are inevitable one way or another.

W = k × m × c × Δt, or

m = W / (k × c × Δt)

Now let's look at each of the values:

• m is the desired mass of water, from which, knowing the density, it will be easy to determine the volume. It would not be a big mistake to calculate at the rate of 1000 kg = 1 m³ .
• W is the excess amount of heat generated during the boiler firing period.

It can be defined as the difference in the energy values ​​generated during the combustion of the fuel deposit and spent during the same period on heating the house.

The maximum power of the boiler is usually known - this is the nameplate value, designed for optimal solid fuel water. It shows the amount of thermal energy generated by the boiler per unit of time, for example, 20 kW.

Any owner always knows quite accurately how long it takes for his fuel fill to burn out. Let's say it will be 2.5 hours.

Next, you need to know how much energy can be spent heating the house at this time. In a word, it is necessary to determine the thermal energy needs of a particular building to ensure comfortable living conditions.

Such a calculation, if the value of the required power is unknown, can be done independently - for this there is a convenient algorithm given in a special publication on our portal.

How to independently carry out thermal calculations for your own home?

Information about the amount of thermal energy required to heat a house is often in demand - when choosing equipment, arranging radiators, and when carrying out insulation work. The reader can get acquainted with the calculation algorithm, including a convenient calculator, by clicking on the link to the publication dedicated to the requirements for installing gas boilers .

For example, heating a house requires 8.5 kW of energy per hour. This means that in 2.5 hours of combustion of the fuel filler the following will be obtained:

20 × 2.5 = 50 kW

During the same period the following will be spent:

8.5 × 2.5 = 21.5 kW

Excess heat that needs to be stored in the heat accumulator:

W = 50 – 21.5 = 28.5 kW

• k – efficiency of the boiler installation. It is usually indicated in the product passport as a percentage (for example, 80%) or as a decimal fraction (0.8).
• c is the heat capacity of water. This is a tabular value that is equal to 4.19 kJ/kg×°C or 1.164 Wh/kg×°C or 1.16 kW/m³×°C.
• Δt is the temperature difference by which the water needs to be heated. It can be determined experimentally for your system by measuring the values ​​on the supply and return pipes when the system is operating at maximum power.

Let's assume that this value is

Δt = 85 – 60 = 35 °C

So, all the values ​​are known, and all that remains is to substitute them into the formula:

m = 28500 / (0.8 × 1.164 × 35) = 874.45 kg.

Thus, in order to fully retain all the heat generated by the boiler when it is operating at full power, 875 kg of water will be required, that is, a capacity of approximately 0.875 m³.

The same approach can be applied if the volume of a heat accumulator connected to an electric boiler is calculated. The only difference is that for the calculation it is not the combustion time that is taken, but the time interval of the preferential tariff, for example, from 23.00 to 6.00 = 7 hours. To “unify” this value, it can be called, for example, “boiler activity period.”

To simplify the task for the reader, below is a special calculator that will allow you to quickly calculate the recommended volume of a heat accumulator for an existing (planned for installation) boiler.

Calculator for calculating the required volume of a heat accumulator

Go to calculations

The resulting value is rounded up and becomes a guideline when selecting the optimal heat accumulator model. They are presented in various volumetric designs in special stores.

Advantages and disadvantages of including a heat accumulator in the heating system

So, summing up the results of the publication, we will briefly formulate the “pros” and “cons” of using heat accumulators.

The advantages include the following:

• Energy savings are achieved, especially when applied to solid fuels - the generated heat is used to the maximum extent. The efficiency of the boiler and the entire heating system as a whole increases.
• Boilers and other elements of the heating system receive reliable protection against overheating.
• The need for intervention in the operation of the system is reduced to the possible minimum, and the number of solid fuel loads is reduced.
• The entire system operates more smoothly and is easier to control and make precise adjustments. Provides stable installed heating in all areas of the house.
• It becomes possible to connect alternative energy sources. With the right approach, this provides serious savings in money. For example, during the daytime the main load falls on the solar station; at night, while the preferential tariff is in effect, the heat pump takes over the baton, and a compact gas boiler compensates for the possible shortage.
• By installing a heat accumulator, you can simultaneously solve the problem of hot water supply to your home.

disadvantages , but they should also be mentioned:

• The installation will make some sense if the power of the boiler or other heat sources is significantly, at least twice, higher than the calculated values ​​of the required thermal energy for heating the home.
• A system with a heat accumulator always has a very high inertia, that is, a lot of time can pass from the moment of start-up to reaching the design operating mode. There is no point in using it in heating systems where rapid heating of rooms is required, for example, in country houses that are visited by the owners only from time to time in winter.
• The equipment, as a rule, is very bulky, which creates many problems during its transportation, unloading, bringing it into premises and installation. Since a prerequisite is the installation of the heat exchanger in close proximity to the boiler, the boiler room will require a very large area.
• Heat accumulators belong to the category of expensive purchases - their price is quite comparable, and often even exceeds the cost of boilers. True, there is a high probability that the costs will quickly be recouped by savings on energy resources.

True, the last of the listed disadvantages encourages craftsmen to develop and install their own models of heat accumulators.

Is it difficult to make a heat accumulator yourself?

Probably, the Russian amateur master can do anything! For example, technological recommendations for self-manufacturing a heat accumulator are given in a special publication on our portal.

Video: advantages of a heating system with a built-in heat accumulator

Advantages and disadvantages

The use of a heat accumulator in a heating system for a private home has the following number of advantages:

• Significant savings in fuel resources. The generated heat is used to the maximum extent to heat the house.
• It becomes possible to use several energy resources for heating. For example, a solid fuel boiler is responsible for basic heat production, periodically heated at full power and charging the heat accumulator, and a compact electric or gas boiler is used for support in intermediate periods. In this case, heating circuits operating on alternative types of energy - solar panels and a wind generator - can be used as an additional source.

Heat accumulator with boiler, decoupling and consumers Source kotli.pro
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in engineering systems (heating, water supply, sewerage and others) and related work

• Reliable protection against overheating of both the unit itself and all elements of the heating circuit. A correctly calculated heat storage device simply will not allow the temperature to rise above the set value.
• Reduced maintenance procedures in a given period - increasing the time between stages of fuel loading.
• Stabilization of the operation of the heating system as a whole - the absence of temperature changes during sudden cold snaps, which provides a more comfortable microclimate in the room.
• Providing the home with hot domestic water.

However, installing a heat storage module in a private heating system has not only advantages, but also often some disadvantages:

• The introduction of a heat accumulator is justified when the output power of the unit is at least 1.5-2 times higher than the heat demand of the living space.
• The operation of a thermal accumulator is characterized by high inertia. A lot of time passes from the moment of startup to the transition to the nominal state. And the larger the area of ​​the heated room, the larger it is. Therefore, installing the module is only relevant in houses with permanent residence. For periodic visits, for example, on weekends in a country house, its use is not advisable.

The heat accumulator is characterized by large dimensions and heavy weight when filled with coolant Source termopaneli59.ru

• The body of a heat accumulator, as a rule, has impressive dimensions, which somewhat complicates the task of transporting and installing it. In addition, because of this, the boiler room must have an additional space designated for its installation next to the boiler.
• The prices of a reliable branded heat storage device and the heating boiler itself are usually comparable, which significantly increases the final cost of the entire system. However, in the long term, long-term operation costs are recouped by significant savings in energy resources, extended service life of equipment and components, and provision of comfortable conditions in residential premises.

Reference! When choosing a heat storage device, you must make sure that there is a heat-insulating layer on the outside of the housing. If the purchased model does not have such coverage, the user will have to purchase and install it himself.

The heat accumulator must have a reliable thermal insulation layer Source indclimat.ru

The best manufacturers

If you don’t know which company’s heat tanks are better in terms of price and set of characteristics, then try to give preference to models from the most well-known brands. In most cases, such devices from domestic or foreign manufacturers are of good quality and work properly for a long period.

Popular manufacturers:

• Parpol (Bulgaria);
• S-Tank (Belarus);
• Nibe (Sweden);
• Tesy (Bulgaria);
• Hajdu (Hungary);
• Sunsystem (Bulgaria);
• Stiebel Eltron (Germany).

Varieties

Depending on the characteristics of the device, the properties it defines and its purpose, the following 4 main types of heat accumulators for heating systems are distinguished:

• The simplest buffer containers without partitions inside.

The heat storage tank, which is hollow inside, is filled with one coolant circulating between the thermal circuit of the boiler and the heat consumers. Installed in the following situations:

1. The heating system (boiler, radiators and other consumers) operates on the same coolant.
2. The limit value of pressure in the equipment is not higher than the same parameter for the boiler and storage tank.
3. The heating level of the coolant at the outlet of the boiler circuit does not exceed the maximum permissible consumer temperature.

However, if the last requirement cannot be met, installing a buffer tank is still possible. To do this, 3-way valves are introduced into the circuit, which makes it possible to reduce the heating level of the hot coolant entering the consumer circuit by mixing it with the cooled coolant supplied from the return line.

The simplest buffer thermal storage device Source ktl.by

• With built-in heat exchanger at the bottom.

Inside the tank there is an additional heat exchange circuit made of stainless steel pipe. Depending on the purpose, the number of such coils can be from 1 to 3. This allows you to create several independent circuits with different coolants and their characteristics.

Application cases:

1. When the pressure and heating level of the coolant exceed the permissible values ​​of similar parameters of the receivers.
2. When it is possible to use several heat generators - additional boilers, as well as due to sunlight, wind or geothermal sources, etc. Moreover, the lower the heating level of the coolant, the lower the circuit through which it circulates should be located in the tank.
3. Heat accumulators of this type are also used for individual heating of a house, when one type of coolant is used in the heat exchange circuit, and another is used in the consumption system.

The design of a heat accumulator with a lower coil location Source forvardplast.ru

Rules for safe operation

Heat batteries made at home with your own hands are subject to special safety requirements:

1. Hot tank elements must not come into contact with or otherwise come into contact with flammable or explosive materials or substances. Ignoring this point may cause a fire in individual objects and a fire in the boiler room.
2. A closed heating system involves constant high pressure of coolant circulating inside. To ensure this point, the tank structure must be completely sealed. Additionally, its body can be reinforced with stiffening ribs, and the lid on the tank can be equipped with durable rubber gaskets that are resistant to intense operating loads and elevated temperatures.
3. If the design contains an additional heating element, its contacts must be very carefully insulated, and the tank must be grounded. In this way, it will be possible to avoid electric shock and short circuit, which can damage the system.

If these rules are followed, the operation of a self-made heat accumulator will be completely safe and will not cause any problems or hassle for the owners.

Criterias of choice

When choosing a heat accumulator for a home heating system, the following criteria should be taken into account:

• Capacity of the container. It is calculated taking into account the characteristics of the system, the power of the unit, and the consumption of domestic hot water.
• Dimensions and weight. They must correspond to the strength of the base on which they will be installed, as well as the characteristics of transportation and installation work.
• Limit pressure level. It must be no lower than the same parameter in the system. They determine the thickness of the walls, the material from which they are made, as well as the geometry and design features of the tank.
• Case material. Products made from carbon steel alloy are cheaper, but also have a shorter service life due to their susceptibility to corrosion. Stainless steel models are more expensive, but are durable.
• Additional heat exchangers. The number is determined by the presence of connected circuits and the complexity of the circuit.

The main feature of the difference between heat accumulators is capacity Source termico.com.ua

• Functional. Depending on the capabilities, manufacturers equip their products, in addition to the basic parameters, with various additional functions - installation of heating elements, installation of control and measuring equipment, installation of automation and safety devices, such as, for example, air valves, thermostats, etc.
• The quality of the thermal insulation layer. Not only the thickness of the coating is taken into account, but also the type of material used. The longer the tank stores heat, the more cost-effective it is in a private heating system.

On a note! It is better to purchase a thermal storage device only at a specialized retail outlet. The product must be branded, have a certificate, a guarantee and a full instruction manual.

Russian made

There are not many domestically produced heat accumulators on the Russian market, since only recently they began to be actively introduced into autonomous heating systems.

Basic calculations

Of course, the more capacious the heat accumulator, the longer it can compensate for the downtime of the heating boiler. However, the cost of the tank and maintenance costs increase in direct proportion to its volume. Therefore, it is important to find a compromise way in resolving the issue of providing the system with a high-quality heat storage device. To do this, a calculation is used that primarily takes into account three main factors:

• Heat loss rate.
• House area.
• Heat generator downtime.

Using a housing area of ​​100 m² as an example, we will analyze the rules for calculating the capacity of a heat storage device. The following input data is used (in reality their values ​​may be slightly different):

1. The amount of heat for heating the house is 10 kW.
2. The period of inactivity of the unit is 10 hours.
3. The operating temperature of the coolant is 70 °C.
4. The total amount of heat that the tank must give off to maintain the room temperature during the entire period of inactivity = 10 hours x 10 kW = 100 kW - this is exactly the amount of energy it must accumulate.
5. The maximum heating level of the coolant is 90 °C.

Review of popular models with prices

Next, models from Russian and foreign manufacturers will be considered.

Russian manufacturers

Sibenergotherm. One of the most popular on the market. The tank volume is 500 liters. Weight is 165 kg. Withstands pressure of 6 bar, and the maximum permissible temperature is 90 degrees. It is not connected to hot water supply. The cost is 28,000 - 30,000 rubles.

PROFBAK TA BB 500. The tank volume is also 500 liters. The weight is noticeably lower than that of the first model - 70 kg. Designed for a working pressure of 3 bar, and the maximum permissible coolant temperature is 90 degrees. Cost 56,000 rubles.

Foreign manufacturers

NIBE BU 500.8. Produced in Sweden. The tank volume is 500 liters. Weight is 145 kg. The maximum permissible pressure value is 6 bar, and the temperature is 95 degrees. There is an option to connect to hot water supply. Costs 45,000 rubles.

REFLEX PFH 500. Manufactured in Germany. The tank volume is also 500 liters and the weight is 120 kg. The maximum operating pressure is 3 bars, and the maximum permissible temperature is 95 degrees. It is not connected to hot water supply. Costs 35,000 rubles.

Video description

Video example on how to calculate a heat accumulator:
Next, you need to calculate the mass (volume) of water that would be capable of holding such an amount of thermal energy, using the following formula:

• M = Ke / 0.0012 Δt
• M – mass of water, kg,
• Ke – amount of stored energy, kW,
• Δt – temperature difference between the heated coolant and cooled coolant in the system, °C,
• 0.0012 – heat capacity of water, kW/kg °C.

Substituting the input data into the formula, we get:

100/0.0012 (90-70) = 4166 kg or approximately 4 m³.

However, in practice such large containers are rarely used. Therefore, in order to reduce the costs of their installation and maintenance, downtime can be reduced by half, and the coolant cooling level can be reduced to an acceptable 500C. Then, to maintain comfortable heat in a house with good thermal insulation, a capacity of 1000 liters will be sufficient.

How to choose

When choosing a heat accumulator, you should pay attention to the following points:

1. Weight and size. If there is little free space in the house, then you can purchase several smaller tanks instead of one large one.
2. Liquid pressure in the tank. If the pressure reaches up to 4 bar, then the walls of the tank must be thick, and the tank itself must have spherical lids.
3. Temperature. Pay attention to the maximum permissible liquid temperature.
4. Material of manufacture. Tanks are usually made of black steel. But there are also stainless steel options. They are more expensive, but have a long service life.

Connection features

The connection diagram of the heat accumulator tank depends on its design features, the level of complexity of the heating system, connected consumers and general decoupling. However, in the simplest case, when a heat exchange hollow buffer is installed, which has only 2 pairs of inlet and outlet pipes - bottom and top - a standard scheme is used

It assumes the same pressure and circulation of the same coolant in the unit circuit and consumers. To regulate the temperature and performance in the circuit, one circulation pump is installed on the return lines - in front of the tank and after it in front of the unit.

Sometimes a pair of 3-way valves are added to the circuit, mixing cold and hot flows, to regulate the heating level. In one case, overheating of the consumer is excluded, in the other, overcooling of the heat exchange circuit of the unit and harmful consequences due to the formation of condensate are prevented.

Reviews

Before you start choosing a particular heat accumulator model, you should read the reviews that can be found on the Internet.

In general, all reviews are positive, in favor of both Russian and foreign manufacturers:

1. Sergey Vladimirovich from the Astrakhan region writes: “This year I bought and installed a heat accumulator. Made in Bulgaria. I heard that Bulgarian and German manufacturers are superior to others in many ways. I would like to note that the heat accumulator is a useful and convenient thing, and it is installed quickly and easily.”
2. Alexey Gerasimov from Vladivostok writes: “Last year I bought a Russian-made device. No complaints. Everything works as expected. But I couldn’t install it myself, so I had to call specialists.”
3. Valentin Nikolaevich from Arkhangelsk writes: “The house has a boiler that runs on solid fuel. I was going to replace it with a gas one, but then friends advised me to buy a heat accumulator, since with this device a boiler operating on the slow-burning principle is not needed. Likewise, a second boiler is not needed. Acquired Russian production. No complaints. Now you can fire the boiler once, and the heat will be accumulated in the device. By the way, I heard that this device is also suitable for solar collectors. So, for those who use collectors, I advise you to install such a battery in the system. A very useful thing.”

Here is some information for those who are thinking about purchasing a heat accumulator. It should be noted that the battery is of great importance and is an indispensable element if it is necessary, for example, to increase the efficiency of the boiler.

Briefly about the main thing

A heat accumulator is a special thermally insulated container, directly connected to the heat exchange circuit of the boiler and ensuring the accumulation of heat, and then its uniform release into the heating system. It works on the principle of accumulation, containment and subsequent distribution of thermal energy to consumers. Its main functions:

1. Maintaining the operating level of heating of the coolant during boiler downtime.
2. Reducing energy costs.
3. Extending the period between operating cycles of the unit.
4. Start-up and maintenance of the boiler at a time convenient for the user and energy consumption.

At the same time, a heat accumulator for a boiler has the following main advantages - savings, protection against overheating, connection of additional heat sources, provision of hot water; disadvantages - inertia, takes up a lot of space, high cost. It is classified into 4 types - buffer, with lower and upper coils, with a built-in boiler.

When choosing, a number of parameters are taken into account - capacity, body material, dimensions, weight, design pressure, functionality, number of heat exchangers, insulation quality. Also, before purchasing a tank, it is important to correctly calculate its capacity, which depends on the area of ​​the house, the specifics of the system and equipment.

With your own hands

If you really want, you can build a storage tank with your own hands. Ideally she should:

• withstand the nominal pressure in the system with a reserve;
• have a calculated volume;
• be protected from corrosion and high temperatures;
• be completely sealed.

For manufacturing, you should take sheet steel, preferably stainless steel with a thickness of at least 3 mm, taking into account the total load and pressure.

The standard TA shape is a tall cylinder with a semicircular base and lid. The ratio of diameter to height is selected to be approximately 1 to 3-4 to promote better heat distribution inside the container.

In this case, hot water is taken from the highest point to the radiators. Just above the center, the water is diverted to the heated floor circuit, and at the lowest point of the TA the return line is connected to the heating boiler.

It is almost impossible to weld a cylindrical container yourself. It is easier to build a parallelepiped with a similar configuration and aspect ratio. All corners should be further strengthened.

The container must be insulated. For this, it is better to use basalt or mineral wool with a thickness of at least 150 mm to reduce heat loss through the walls.

To install a heat accumulator, you should prepare a special support platform, a foundation capable of supporting the enormous weight of the equipment. Even the battery itself can weigh up to 400-500 kg. If its volume is, for example, 3 cubic meters, then when filled its weight will exceed 3.5 tons.

Diagram of a buffer tank-heat accumulator of a heating system, consisting of several tanks

Some craftsmen make themselves or outsource the production of buffer tanks from sections of large-diameter steel pipes - 300-800 mm. After installation in place, the tanks are insulated.

Such tanks are often much cheaper than ready-made buffer tanks that are sold on the construction market. The lack of corrosion protection in such homemade tanks is partially compensated by the increased thickness of the metal wall.

To protect against electrochemical corrosion, it is recommended to ground the tank and place a magnesium anode from an industrial water heater inside the tank.

A buffer tank of the required volume can be obtained by connecting two or more smaller tanks with pipes.

The upper and lower parts of the tanks are connected to each other by pipes with a diameter of at least one and a half inches.

It turns out to be a battery of tanks connected to each other like sections of a heating battery.

The battery from the tanks is connected to the boiler and heating circuits in a diagonal pattern. This connection ensures the same water temperature distribution in all buffer tanks.

The last tank in the battery (tank No. 2 in the diagram) can serve as a hydraulic separator between the radiator heating system and heated floors.

Principle of operation

The essence of the device’s operation in relation to boiler equipment does not differ significantly from the principle of protecting other electrical devices.
It is expressed in the adoption of special measures to stabilize the voltage and the ability to maintain it at the required level for some time. For these purposes, a UPS is used for boilers with a connected external battery, the direct voltage from which is converted into alternating voltage through an electronic inverter. To smooth out voltage fluctuations in the network or protect against its short-term loss, the principle of double conversion is used, consisting of the following:

1. The corrected AC voltage is supplied to a line filter, which smoothes out sharp fluctuations by limiting RF harmonics.
2. It enters the diode bridge, which converts the alternating component into a constant one.
3. If necessary, part of the rectified current is spent on the charging circuit of the standby battery, used in a situation where the voltage disappears for a long time.
4. The main part of it goes to the inverter, in which the reverse conversion of the constant component into variable is carried out.
5. The stabilized voltage thus obtained is suitable for powering a solid fuel or gas boiler.

Requirements for uninterruptible power supply

To find out which uninterrupted unit is suitable for a gas boiler, you need to determine in advance the requirements for the device. It will help to become familiar with the main indicators of a UPS that characterize the efficiency of its operation. Some of them:

• Active and apparent (including the reactive component) power, defined as the product of the supply voltage and the current in the load.
• Harmonic distortion coefficient, indicating the quality of the output voltage - the deviation of the sinusoid shape from the ideal form.
• The presence of an external battery allows the boiler to continue operating during a complete absence of mains power for several hours.
• Duration of operation in offline mode.
• Limits of permissible input voltage fluctuations in Volts.

The battery life depends to a large extent on its capacity.

When the operating conditions of the boiler equipment require long interruptions in the power supply, the possibility of connecting additional batteries should be provided. It is also desirable that the purchased device has the function of automatically monitoring the state of the electrical network and restoring normal power supply.