Heated floor unlike other autonomous heating systems require a more careful approach is constructive. In this case, not enough to have a heat source and heaters. To view this warm water floors require much more additional equipment, accessories and appliances. The thing is that the floor heating is a low temperature heating system and require more thorough preparation of the coolant. The essential difference between the heat medium heating temperature in the heating device and temperature of water circulating in the piping heating floors, makes use mix with knot.
Pumping-mixing unit for floor heating, or the mixing unit is a set of interconnected equipment, devices and mechanisms. Every detail of the unit perform its functions and tasks, act in a unified manner. Let us examine what a group of mixing, is its role in the operation of the heating system.
The main purpose of pumping and mixing unit
The main task, which is assigned to the pump-mixing unit, is technically possible to carry out mixing and distribution of the coolant flows of different temperatures to follow the finished feed water heating circuit underfloor heating. What is it for? The thing is that the heating boiler or district heating system shows high coolant temperature (75-950C), while for optimal water underfloor heating regime should be in the range of 35-550FROM.
With decreasing water temperature and coolant flow intensity in the system just cope pumping and mixing unit. Thanks to this equipment, underfloor heating can be connected to an existing heating system with thermal and hydraulic calculations. Mixer assembly for floor heating is equipped with all the necessary appliances, devices and appliances, providing not only mixing of different streams, but also the optimum flow rate of the coolant heating contours.
Possible to mix the water resulting mix with hot water running along the main pipe, the liquid flowing in the reverse direction (return). Further, under a certain pressure is supplied prepared, to the desired water temperature for the normal operation of the warm water in the flooring system. Mixing unit, in this case acts as a cooling system. This is the reason the name of the block.
On a note: floor heating with long water circuit, designed for heating large areas, needs to be forced coolant circulation, however complete to main, cooling and dispensing equipment is circulation pump.
Having defined the purpose of pumping and mixing unit, its value should be noted for the independent heating system. Thanks to the installation of this equipment, you can provide:
- the most comfortable heating temperature is in a residential area;
- safe operation of the heating system with liquid and hot coolant;
- improve the operational capabilities of the heating circuits and increase the life of the underfloor heating.
The figure shows the diagram of the basic functions of all the elements of the pump-mixing unit and the location of each device.
Components assembly and operation of the equipment
At the heart of the whole structure is simple and intuitive set of equipment, each of which fulfills its specific role in the operation of the entire device. At first glance, a rather complicated design, but a detailed analysis of the place and function of each device has its own explanation. In most cases, mixing units are equipped as standard. The kit includes the following items:
- pumps providing water circulation in the system. Using the pump creates the necessary operating pressure in the pipeline provides the necessary feed rate of the coolant in the water circuit. The figure shows the recommended position of the pump. You can use the pump with a dry or wet rotor.
On a note: without installing floor heating pump can operate only in two ways: using a centralized heating or during installation of floor heating, hot water running from the system.
- mix with node - a device adjustment is carried out directly heating the coolant temperature. Usually this is a three-way valve with manual or electro-mechanical three-way valve. The main task of the instrument, recharge primary circuit hot water. Due to the relationship with the thermostat valve, performed periodic switching, the valve off. The heated water flows as a result of a warm floor in the extent to which it is necessary for the normal operation. Upon reaching the heated area to the required temperature, the valve works in a reverse direction, blocking the supply of hot water.
- collector group - the device provides distribution and collection of coolant directly in the circulating water circuit loops. The manifold consists of two parts, a comb for collecting waste water and comb prepared for distribution of coolant into the system underfloor. With the collector can be connected not one but several water circuits. The comb is available for this purpose, several connections, depending on the amount of water circuits. On the transfer of the collector set the meterControlling the flow of coolant in the heating system.
- the last link in the chain of devices and equipment, standing on equipping the pump-mixer unit is an air vent. This is the simplest embodiment of the collector, which is a separator, providing venting of the water heating circuit.
For reference: Speaking again of the pump group can be mentioned. Some boilers have in its design integrated pump, so put another pump on the feeding tube is not necessary, in the case of radiator heating option. Underfloor heating require additional efforts to ensure the circulation of the water.
After listing the basic elements of the block, we should say a few words about assistive devices and devices included in the kit pump-mixer unit. We are talking about thermostats and valves, causing the pump.
The figure is a schematic diagram of the pumping-mixing structures standing on the equipment of warm water sexes.
If you decide to make a collector with his own hands, it is necessary to take into account the following fact. The pump is placed at a position immediately after the three-way valve, without interfering with its operation, but on the contrary, a mixed water is pulled from it. Those. first three-way valve is installed, then the pump unit and is already behind them, the collector. In any other configuration adjustment of heating the coolant temperature and the circulation rate can not be performed.
In addition to this, we can say that the pump-mixing units decided to equip the bypass. This bypass pipe through which a coolant circulates in the bypass valve and the circulating pump.
Such a scheme is applied in situations where there is a need to send the return line directly through the bypass into the system.
As can be seen from the description of the equipment included in the mixing station set, nothing complicated in design no. Therefore, if you wish, you can make your own assemble such a device and secure a significant savings.
Three-way valve for the mixing unit. Its place and value
Most of the work in pumping and mixing unit plays a three-way valve or an automated analog devices, three-way valve. Usually on sale are mixing units, equipped with such devices. If you decide to collect the complex alone, to determine the valve functionality and to the manner in which it should run.
By default, the valve models are setting certain temperature parameters. If desired, you can have your own exercise device configuration under its own heating system. It's enough to move the valve thermostatic head to the desired position.
Important! Three-way valves have low bandwidth, only 2 m3 in hour. Therefore, the optimum will be the use of three-way valves for mixing the coolant when operating with short circuits water. (For space heating not exceeding 50m2).
To work with high water loop length, three-way valves are used, designed for large quantities of water (up to 4 m3 in hour). Typically, these devices have, and manual control embodiment and equipped with actuators. Such devices are used with success for underfloor areas in smokers than 100 m2.
Pump and mixing unit. connection Methods
Collecting warm floor in your home, the hardest work - it is the installation of the screed. However, the connection to the water floor heating system as the task is not easy and requires some knowledge. Typically, the pump unit, a mixer and a collector set after having finished work on installation of heating water circuits. Mixing stations are connected in a clear sequence. Each device and the device must have its place, which determines the functionality of the devices.
Installation of equipment is carried out in the collector cabinet, in a heated room or next to it, in the immediate vicinity. All connections must be made in accordance with the technology. To connect a threaded connection is used, cold welding, or coupling compound. When assembling the mixer and pump group with their hands, try to achieve short and convenient connections, providing easy access to each design element.
To connect and normal site functionality necessary to observe the correct location of the pipe and the adjustment of each element of the system:
- balancing valve (requires calculation of the place of its installation);
- a circulating pump (required feed rate setting);
- Balancing threads each heating circuit;
- bypass three-way valve (requires adjustment in manual or in automatic mode);
- diagnose the finished unit is already fully loaded.
All connections must comply with the requirements of thermal and hydraulic calculations. It is worth recalling that before proceeding to the assembly and installation of pump-mixer unit, it is important to choose the right equipment. Pump capacity, the diameter and the capacity three-way valve. The number of water circuits plays a role in the selection of combs for collector group. Air vent and drain valves should also be installed in certain places.
