Equipment for flushing the heating system

The microclimate in the house depends on heating. During operation of the system, deposits in the form of scale, silt or rust form on the walls of the pipeline and heating devices.

Examples of scale formation

The system needs regular cleaning and flushing. In order to remove dirt, you need to prepare so as not to damage the heating and clean the radiators.

Purpose of flushing the heating system

The main task is to wash out accumulated deposits in the system. Water circulates through the system, transferring heat from the boiler to the radiators. The liquid is in a closed cycle, sometimes not changing for years. The metal salts included in its composition begin to settle on the walls of the radiators.

There is a constant layering, and it only grows from year to year. The process of dirt formation is long, so the sooner you start acting, the easier it will be to deal with this problem.

With gradual clogging, the passages in the pipes narrow. Thermal conductivity deteriorates, and more fuel is required to heat the room.

If you do not ensure regular cleaning, the following problems will appear:

Pipes become less durable, cracks and leaks appear.
Heat transfer decreases.
Heating costs increase because the resulting dirt narrows the passages of the pipeline and fuel consumption increases.
Thermal resistance increases, which reduces the overall heating temperature.
The coolant flow rate decreases.
A decrease in strength causes unexpected ruptures and flooding of an apartment or house with dirty boiling water.

Set of rules for flushing heating systems

When carrying out work, it is important to consider a number of factors.

When the coolant is ordinary water, it is advisable to carry out flushing annually. If the water is filtered, then cleaning is allowed once every few years.
Each heating circuit is washed separately, and in high-rise buildings - floor by floor.
Before the next chemical flush or the start of the heating season, it is necessary to pass a neutralizer through the system to eliminate the effect of the introduced reagents.
Chemical flushing is carried out by one-way movement of liquid in pipes. Other methods require forward and reverse.
The washing procedure is followed by pressure testing.

When is system flushing required?

Signs indicating the need to remove dirt and plaque:

The temperature on the surface of the devices decreases significantly.
The interval between turning on the heating system and completely warming up the radiators to the required levels increases.
The batteries warm up unevenly, you can feel it to the touch: warm bottom, cold top.
When radiator heating is completely absent, only the pipes remain hot.
The monthly heating bill is increasing.

Methods

Cleaning the system
Methods:

Water-pulsating mixture. The method is based on the use of pulsating flows of liquid and compressed air bubbles. Deposits, rust, silt, sand are removed. Costs for energy resources are reduced and the service life of heating devices is increased. Performed with special equipment.
With the help of biological products. The product penetrates deep into the accumulated layers and begins to act from the inside. The biological product acts on scale, oil and mud, hard crystalline, corrosive and organic deposits.
Pneumohydraulic hammer. Requires special equipment. There is no need to disassemble the heating equipment. Operating principle: using technology, a pneumohydraulic shock is performed that destroys deposits. The layers crumble and dissolve in the coolant. The method does not cause ruptures or cracks.
Chemicals. The mixtures are based on acids of organic and inorganic origin. The products begin their action by completely destroying the formation of scale and rust.

Facilities and equipment

Scale and rust reduce thermal conductivity. To maintain temperature conditions, it is necessary to increase fuel consumption and budgetary funds. Equipment such as a compressor is used for washing.

Cleaning the system with special equipment

Attention! Within 10 years of operation, the pipeline without cleaning can become clogged by 50%. One millimeter of layering on the inner walls increases fuel consumption by 25%. If you do at least one cleaning, the heating efficiency increases and budget costs are reduced.

Selecting equipment for flushing heating

Electronically controlled devices are considered the best equipment.

When using them, there is not a simple supply of chemical solutions or streams of compressed air, but a complete analysis of the intensity and nature of vibrations in the circuit. The operator is only concerned with timely regulation of the frequency and power of the pulses.

The devices are equipped with special sensors that monitor pressure and fluid flow and protection in case of unexpected activation.

Washing technology

First, it is necessary to check and assess the condition of the system. Afterwards, the cleaning method and equipment mode are determined. There are 2 ways:

Filling method. The pipeline is filled with pure liquid or with chemical impurities. After 30 minutes the compressor turns on and compressed air is supplied. The supply valve is closed and the drain valve opens. Dirt is thrown out through it. The procedure is repeated until the water becomes clear.
Flow washing method. This is a continuous supply of liquid with compressed air into the heating system. The growths on the walls peel off and are instantly removed.

Not every compressor unit is designed for two cleaning methods and can only supply water or compressed air. Ask the seller about technical specifications.

Methods for hydroflushing a heating system

There are two washing options:

The first of them is called flow-through, it is used for the prevention of hot water supply and heat supply systems: - pipelines (return and supply) are filled with water, while opening the valve on the air collector; - when the pipes are filled, the valve is closed, and then compressed air is supplied; — air and water mixtures should be supplied to the pipelines simultaneously; - complete the flushing after clean water begins to flow out of the pipe, which is then poured into the drain.
The second method is filling. To implement it, a certain sequence of actions is followed: - the pipelines are filled with water, after which the valve is closed; — compressed air is supplied to the second pipe for 20-25 minutes; - after the air supply is completed, shut off the shut-off valves and drain the water, passing through the drain pipe. After the process is completed, the system is washed several times using clean water (read: “Hydro-pneumatic flushing and hydroflushing of heating systems”).

Cleaning methods

Several methods allow you to quickly and inexpensively clean your heating system of dirt and deposits.

Chemical washing

The method does not require removing batteries. Store-bought mixtures are used for cleaning. Make them at home by mixing a few essential ingredients.

If the circuit is slightly clogged, the following means are used:

caustic soda;
vinegar 9%;
some acids;
milk serum.

Ready-made mixtures are the best option; the packaging contains complete information about in what cases to use it and what dosages to use.

When using reagents, you must maintain the recommended time specified in the instructions. Remember to start the pump to ensure even distribution of the mixture throughout the circuit.

The idea is to supply chemical reagents together with a corrosion inhibitor. The preparations accelerate the dissolution of deposits, and the inhibitor covers the inside of the pipes with a protective layer that prevents the development of rust.

After flushing, the service life is extended by 10 years, the heating functions better, and the cost of heating the premises is reduced.

Sparging: pneumohydraulic cleaning

The method is harmless, as it does not contain any impurities. To create high pressure, a compressor is needed to supply a water-air mixture that removes deposits accumulated inside from the walls.

Flows are created inside the circuit, passing in the form of short pulses created by a pneumatic gun. It is better to connect the compressor to a check valve. This is necessary to prevent liquid from entering the device.

If the radiators are not removable, then at the very end you need to open the cap, a hose is connected through it to discharge dirt, which is lowered into the toilet.

Compressor unit

When starting for the first time, it is necessary to supply air in the direction opposite to the movement of the coolant. Then the direction changes. To do this, it is necessary to change the discharge and supply hoses.

After cleaning, the hoses are removed and a plug is installed. Only after this the heating is operated.

Ram: hydropneumatic shock cleaning

The method is based on the formation of a shock wave, which is capable of passing along the contour at a speed of 105 km/sec. It is recommended to use with a total pipeline length of no more than 60 m. As a result, the layers begin to peel off and fall off, being washed away with the liquid.

Flushing agents

Various reagents are used. Before purchasing, find out what layers the drug is designed for.

Using acidic preparations, they clean the pipeline, but alkaline mixtures are safer for metal pipes.

By carefully studying the instructions on the label or packaging, you can understand which metals the drug should not come into contact with. Some destroy the materials from which the pipes are made.

How to choose a reagent

Consider the material of the equipment

To choose a chemical solution, you need to know what substances it will come into contact with in the equipment being cleaned. Gasketed heat exchangers usually consist only of stainless steel; brazed ones additionally contain copper or nickel soldering. Boilers may contain cast iron; heating or hot water supply systems often contain stainless steel, cast iron, and polypropylene.

View composition

Equipment is professionally cleaned using a multi-stage principle: washing, neutralization of acids, passivation (special protective treatment). High-quality washing liquids help to comply with this principle - in addition to the main acid, they contain inhibitors and other surfactants that manufacturers do not disclose.

The inhibitor passes between contaminants and metal, creates a protective film and further prevents the formation of corrosion. Inhibition is regulated by boiler services that use industrial heat exchangers (shell and tube, plate).

In the case of washing with pure orthophosphoric acid, phosphating of the surface may occur - the formation of a protective film. But over time, the coolant will wash away this film, and the metal will not be protected from corrosion. If devices are regularly cleaned with uninhibited acids, pinpoint leaks will eventually occur.

Equipment for flushing heating systems from dirt

The degree of clogging depends on the regularity of cleaning, as well as on what salts and trace elements are contained in the coolant circulating through the pipes.

For flushing, special equipment is used to wash away dirt from the heating system.

Pipe cleaning devices

Different methods require their own equipment. Such equipment is expensive, but if you compare it with the amount of damage that can occur when pipes burst, you can turn a blind eye to the price.

Hydrodynamic installations

Water jetting machines deliver liquid under pressure. Connection to pipes with a diameter of at least 20 mm is available. The device comes with various attachments.

Hydrodynamic installation

Removal of deposits using a hydrodynamic apparatus is carried out in a gentle manner. The pressure created within communication is low. Cleaning is safe for all heating equipment.

Device Features:

Jet thrust, under the action of the liquid, moves through the pipeline.
The choice of nozzle depends on the nature of the contamination.
Use of punching attachments: chain carousel and rotary tip are recommended for difficult clogs.

Fact! After washing with a hydrodynamic device, all elements return to the state in which they were installed.

Pneumohydraulic units

The compressor is the main element in the device. Its main function is to compress air followed by a sharp release into the system.

A kinetic impulse is created, forming powerful vortices in the liquid. Thanks to this, the layers are separated from the inner surface.

There are two options for compressed air accumulation in a pneumohydraulic device:

container for accumulating air masses;
a pump designed to flush the circuit.

The pump is equipped with a piston built inside, which pumps air. In the first option, the compressor handles everything.

The device has two outlets, one contacts air, and the second contacts water. Stages:

First, the device is connected to the switch and hoses.
The coolant is pumped in, part of it reaches the cylinder of the pneumohydraulic installation, placing the piston at the ready.
The balloon is charged with air and pressure is created inside it.
When everything is ready, a shock pulse is applied, which has a destructive effect on the deposits.

Mechanical impact devices

For mechanical cleaning, a flexible shaft is used with a handle placed at one end to tighten the mechanism, and a metal brush at the other. A drill is used to rotate the shaft.

Mechanical cleaning device

Brief instructions on how to operate:

Preparation for cleaning. To do this, you need to drain all the liquid. The fitting is twisted at the required points.
Assembly of a mechanism that removes deposits from the inside of pipes. To assemble it, you need to attach a metal brush to one end and insert the other into a drill.
The shaft is carefully placed inside the pipeline. Rotational movements are performed, the walls are cleaned of scale.

Flexible shafts can be of different sizes. To store them, do not twist them too much.

Electrohydraulic devices

Operating principle of the device:

The cable coming from the device passes into the coolant.
The device sets the required power indicators for a certain type of pollution.
After switching on, the device begins to create pulsed current discharges, as a result of which the accumulated layers are destroyed.

All models are used for cleaning pipes with a diameter from 10 to 100 mm. The kit may include additional devices.

Signs of a poorly maintained heating system

For the normal functionality of the heating system, nothing should interfere with the movement of the coolant through the channels constructed for it.

There are several symptoms that a large amount of debris has accumulated inside the heating circuit, and scale has settled on the walls of the pipes. There are no obvious visual signs of clogging of the heating system.

It can be diagnosed by carefully monitoring the operation of the entire system and the appearance of a number of indirect signs:

warming up of the system takes longer than before (for autonomous heating systems);
the operation of the boiler is accompanied by uncharacteristic sounds;
increased gas or electricity consumption; the temperature in different parts of the radiators varies significantly;
radiators are noticeably cooler than supply pipes.

However, weak or uneven heating of batteries is not always a sign of clogging. Perhaps they were aired out. In such a situation, it is enough to reset the air lock through the Mayevsky tap.

Without regular flushing of heating systems, pipes become overgrown, their flow area decreases, resulting in an increase in hydraulic resistance

In houses with a central heating system, its flushing should be carried out by employees of the heat supply company. In a private home, this procedure is carried out by the owners or invited specialists.

It is difficult to unequivocally recommend the frequency of flushing the system. There are too many factors influencing this.

Image gallery

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During long-term operation, the system requires mandatory flushing.

Slowing down the temperature rise in the room

Boiler signal about the need for flushing

Uneven heating of heating devices

For example, in centralized heating systems, the coolant must undergo a water treatment cycle, which reduces the degree of contamination. True, this rule is not always followed. And the system itself is often in its third or fourth decade of operation, and the amount of waste circulating inside increases every year.

But for both centralized networks and autonomous systems, it is recommended to flush annually. Which, by the way, is confirmed by the requirements of building codes. This period is considered critical for the accumulation of debris inside the circuit, which significantly reduces operating efficiency.

If the system is not flushed before the start of the heating season, the pipeline becomes clogged and appliances and heating equipment fail prematurely.

Compressor for washing: means and equipment, reagent

When choosing equipment, familiarize yourself with the characteristics and features of the heating circuit. Pay attention to the size of the heating system and how many heating devices are installed in it.

There are other parameters that affect the compressor installation.

Often, specially prepared coolant is poured. In this case, the pipeline will remain in normal condition for a long time. But this happens rarely, and usually ordinary running water is poured in, containing salts of microelements, which gradually settle on the walls. A simple example is a kettle with scale that has formed.

In addition, silt and dirt accumulate inside, and rust forms. A number of problems arise:

Reduced heating quality. Since salt layers have low efficiency, they become an obstacle to the transfer of thermal energy to radiators.
Due to the reduction in the internal diameter of the pipes, the passage of coolant becomes less intense.
Any type of pollution helps reduce the operating period of heating.

After such problems occur, coolant circulation deteriorates. This is reflected in a decrease in air temperature in the heated room.

Any type of pollution causes unexpected leaks, which are the result of unplanned spending of budget funds on equipment repairs.

The best preventive measure to combat this problem is regular cleaning of the circuit. Cleaning methods:

Using chemical reagents that can dissolve dirt and scale.
Jets of liquid supplied under high pressure wash away the plaque on the inside.
Using the hydropneumatic pulse method.

Compressor for hydropneumatic flushing of the heating system

The compressor is connected using hoses. First, a thorough analysis of the structure is needed to identify areas that are severely affected by layers.

Then the compressor operating mode and cleaning method are selected.

Hydropneumatic flushing is performed in the following ways:

Filling the circuit and supplying compressed air under pressure. After the procedure is completed, the drain valve opens.
Flow-through method: water is supplied continuously.

In order to protect the receiver from liquid entering it, a check valve is used.

The device is turned off and dismantled. The results are checked: a small section of the pipe is cut off, with a clean inner coating.

Models are top sellers

Popular brands of washing equipment:

Ropuls. The compressor cleans heating appliances, water pipes, heated floors and solar collectors. Among the advantages is the disinfection of drinking water.
Rockal. Small heating cleaner (no more than 300 l).
Cillit-Boy. Universal equipment: with its help, heating circuits, hot water supply and hot water supply pipes, drinking water pipelines and the “Warm Floor” system are freed from dirt. Controlled by an electronic module.

The supply of compressed air with liquid is under pressure. This loosens all the accumulated layers.

Hydroflushing process

This method of cleaning pipelines and radiators is based on the simultaneous supply of water and air under a certain pressure. The resulting mixture is capable of cleaning the heating structure due to numerous pulses produced by the compressor to flush the heating system. You can see what this installation looks like in the photo.

The resulting small bubbles, moving through the elements of the system, gradually destroy the deposits accumulated on their walls. But in order for the cleaning process to be successful, it is necessary to first calculate the speed and flow of water, as well as air pressure in accordance with the diameter of the pipes and the length of the pipeline.

Flushing should be carried out in separate areas (in groups of risers).

Bucha: washing equipment

The installation for cleaning the Bucha heating system is a compact and portable compressor with a pulse pneumatic generator. All layers can be easily removed without the use of chemicals.

Bucha-K

It is enough to flush the system once to carry out high-quality cleaning of heating equipment. The device is compact, designed to remove deposits and prevent clogging.

The Bucha-K compressor is used for flushing Russian-assembled heating appliances, which is better than all foreign analogues in terms of price and quality.

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How to choose equipment

When choosing, you need to consider:

The power and productivity of the installation affect the flushing speed. The larger the dimensions of the equipment being cleaned, the higher the power and performance of the device should be. Also, high power allows you to remove stubborn deposits and better wash the structure.
The washing tank should be selected the same volume or larger in relation to the volume of the equipment being cleaned. You can also find out whether the pump has dry-running protection.
Connection diameter. Must match the connection diameter of the equipment being cleaned. You can also connect hoses to the water supply and heat exchanger ports using special adapters.

A pump is considered more efficient if it can do reverse - change the direction of flow. This allows you to completely remove scale and wash away reagents. For automatic reverse, the device must have a flow change button. Manual reverse is carried out using a valve or manually reconnecting the hoses.

There are also models of installations with a tubular electric heater for heating the liquid to the desired temperature (for most - 40 ̊C).